Treatment FAQ

which is the treatment of choice for syncope?

by Prof. Audra McLaughlin Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Cardiac pacing, implantable cardioverterā€defibrillators, and catheter ablation are the usual treatments of syncope caused by cardiac arrhythmias, depending on the mechanism of syncope.

What is the best treatment for syncope?

Passively raising or propping up your legs in the air can also help. To immediately treat someone who has fainted from vasovagal syncope, help the person lie down and lift their legs up in the air. This will restore blood flow to the brain, and the person should quickly regain consciousness.

How do doctors treat syncope?

When an irregular heartbeat causes fainting, your doctor may prescribe medications such as beta-blockers or antiarrhythmics. Your doctor may also prescribe steroids (such as fludrocortisone) or salt tablets to help you control the amount of sodium and fluids in your body.

What drug is administered for syncope?

Medication management is necessary in patients who experience symptoms without warning, and fludrocortisone has been reported as useful; midodrine can be used either alone or in combination with fludrocortisone but with caution.Mar 20, 2012

What is the treatment for NCS?

Midodrine. Midodrine, a drug whose active metabolite is an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, may help to prevent NCS through its vasoconstrictive effect. This vasoconstriction can counteract the vasodilation seen in NCS.

How do you test for syncope?

A tilt table test is a test done to evaluate symptoms of syncope (fainting). If you have syncope, your healthcare provider will carefully evaluate your past medical history and do a physical exam.

What are the 4 classifications of syncope?

Syncope is classified as neurally mediated (reflex), cardiac, orthostatic, or neurologic (Table 1).Sep 15, 2011

What are beta blockers?

Beta blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are medications that reduce blood pressure. Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. Beta blockers cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force, which lowers blood pressure.

What is fludrocortisone acetate used for?

Fludrocortisone, a corticosteroid, is used to help control the amount of sodium and fluids in your body. It is used to treat Addison's disease and syndromes where excessive amounts of sodium are lost in the urine. It works by decreasing the amount of sodium that is lost (excreted) in your urine.Aug 15, 2017

Can beta blockers cause syncope?

However, beta-blockers may also worsen syncope because of their ability to induce orthostatic hypotension in some patients. Several studies have been conducted to determine beta-blocker effectiveness in the treatment of neurocardiogenic syncope.Jan 20, 2011

How can syncope be prevented?

Can Fainting Be Prevented?
  1. If possible, lie down. This can help prevent a fainting episode, as it lets blood get to the brain. ...
  2. Sit down with your head lowered forward between your knees. ...
  3. Don't let yourself get dehydrated. ...
  4. Keep blood circulating. ...
  5. Avoid overheated, cramped, or stuffy environments, whenever possible.

What are the 2 types of syncope?

What is syncope?
  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
  • The ANS automatically controls many functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and bladder control. ...
  • Vasovagal syncope (also called cardio-neurogenic syncope)
  • Situational syncope.
  • Postural syncope (also called postural hypotension)
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May 14, 2019

How is NCS diagnosed?

Diagnosing neurocardiogenic syncope involves ruling out other, particularly heart-related or neurological, causes of fainting. Tests may include: Echocardiogram: This ultrasound exam uses soundwaves to take moving pictures of the heart's chambers and valves.

Medications

Medications are prescribed to control atrial rhythm (e.g., flecainide, propafenone, sotalol, amiodarone) or ventricular rate (e.g., digoxin, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers) or underlying disease.

Procedures, Devices & Surgery

The goal for treating syncope is to reduce the frequency and severity of your symptoms. For some patients, medications and surgical intervention are necessary to reach that goal. Examples of surgical therapies include:

What is the goal of a syncope history?

The goal of the history should be to determine prognosis, diagnosis, reversible factors, comorbidities, medication use, and individual and family needs . Historically, factors associated with a cardiac cause of syncope include age older than 60 years, ...

Can ECG help with syncope?

Electrocardiography. Based on moderate-quality evidence from nonrandomized studies, resting 12- lead electrocardiography (ECG) can be beneficial in patients initially presenting with syncope by providing information on possible causes; however, findings on ECG have not been shown to significantly affect treatment.

How does risk stratification help with syncope?

Risk stratifying patients who present with syncope can guide treatment and avoid morbidity and mortality , according to moderate-quality evidence from nonrandomized studies. Long-term prognosis is based on treatment effectiveness and the severity of the underlying condition and comorbidities, whereas short-term prognosis is typically associated with the cause of syncope and whether it can be treated. Therefore, in addition to determining the cause, the risk of short- and long-term morbidity and mortality should be outlined. If a cause is unclear, risk stratification for short-term outcomes can aid in making immediate treatment decisions.

What is the difference between long term and short term prognosis?

Long-term prognosis is based on treatment effectiveness and the severity of the underlying condition and comorbidities, whereas short-term prognosis is typically associated with the cause of syncope and whether it can be treated. Therefore, in addition to determining the cause, the risk of short- and long-term morbidity ...

Is natriuretic peptide a good test for syncope?

Measurement of brain natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin may be useful in patients with a possible cardiac cause of their syncope, but it has modest value for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events. Routinely performing comprehensive laboratory testing is not beneficial in syncope evaluation.

Is exercise good for syncope?

Stress Testing. Exercise stress testing may be beneficial in determining a cause of syncope related to exertion, according to lower-quality studies; however, caution should be taken when performing stress testing, and proper advanced life support must be available.

Is exercise stress testing good for syncope?

Exercise stress testing may be beneficial in determin ing a cause of syncope related to exertion, according to lower-quality studies; however, caution should be taken when performing stress testing, and proper advanced life support must be available.

What is the cornerstone of vasovagal syncope?

The cornerstone of therapy for young patients with vasovagal syncope remains education and reassurance, except in rare and isolated cases of patients with a high frequency of recurrent episodes despite nonpharmacological measures. In the elderly, specific treatment is often necessary.

Is vasovagal syncope a recurrent event?

Vasovagal syncope is a common cause of recurrent syncope. Clinically, these episodes may present as an isolated event with an identifiable trigger, or manifest as a cluster of recurrent episodes warranting intensiv e evaluation. The mechanism of vasovagal syncope is incompletely understood.

What is the C type of nerve fiber?

Vagal c -type nerve fibers connect the heart with the brainstem. Within the brainstem vagal neurons are stimulated and the activity of cells of the sympathetic nervous system is depressed. Activation of this reflex mechanism provokes bradycardia, vasodilatation and hypotension.

What is the best medicine for vasovagal syncope?

A drug called fludrocortisone acetate that's normally used to treat low blood pressure may be helpful in preventing vasovagal syncope. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors also may be used. Therapies. Your doctor may recommend ways to decrease the pooling of blood in your legs.

How to diagnose vasovagal syncope?

Diagnosis. Diagnosing vasovagal syncope often begins with a physical examination. During the physical exam, your doctor will listen to your heart and take your blood pressure. He or she may also massage the main arteries in your neck to see if that causes you to feel faint. Your doctor may also recommend several tests to rule out other possible ...

What tests are done to see if you have a fainting spell?

Blood tests. Your doctor may look for conditions, such as anemia, that can cause or contribute to fainting spells. Tilt table test. If no heart problems appear to cause your fainting, your doctor may suggest that you undergo a tilt table test.

How to tell if you're fainting?

What you can do 1 Write down details of your symptoms, including any triggers that may have caused you to faint. 2 Make a list of any medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking. 3 Write down questions you want to ask your doctor, including questions about potential tests and treatments.

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