TLoC is defined as a state of real or apparent loss of consciousness with loss of awareness, characterised by abnormal motor control, loss of responsiveness, and a short duration. Syncope does not have the same meaning as blackouts.īlackout is also known as Transient Loss of Consciousness (TLoC). It is therefore important to establish the underlying causes. Syncope and blackouts are both symptoms, and not a diagnosis in their own right. Medtronic unrestricted educational grant Referencesĭownload Syncope toolkit references (19 KB PDF)ĭefinitions and causes of syncope and blackouts Dr Harjeevan Gill (Syncope Clinical Fellow).Prof Lesley Kavi (Syncope Clinical Champion).STARS (Syncope Trust and Reflex anoxic Seizures) - includes blackouts checklist, booklet, factsheets and patient information videos.Orthostatic intolerance syndromes (mainly due to orthostatic hypotension and postural tachycardia syndrome)Ĭause chronic debility in the young and old.Cardiovascular events cause 45% of unexplained falls in people with dementia.Syncope is an under-recognised cause of recurrent falls and older patients commonly experience amnesia for events before the syncope or fall.Syncope presents to the GP or A&E six times more often than epilepsy.Misdiagnosis affects up to 30% of patients with epilepsy cardiovascular syncope is the most common misdiagnosis in epilepsy.GPs often omit screening for the red flags in syncope that help to detect cardiac syncope.After attending A&E with syncope, 0.7% of patients die in the next 7-30 days, and 10% within a year - mortality is highest in those with cardiac syncope.Health related quality of life is poor in people with recurrent vasovagal syncope.Syncope is common and occurs in 42% of people by the age of 70.'The only difference between syncope and sudden death is that in one you wake up' - George Engel Syncope key facts Indicators and red-flags, and enable timely signposting of patients towards life-improving or life-saving care. It will increase practitioner confidence in diagnosis, awareness of key This toolkit will guide the GP through the initial assessment, appropriate investigation and management of patients with syncope and orthostatic intolerance (presyncope symptoms). Furthermore, misdiagnosis is common and therapeutic opportunities are missed. Whilst some syncopal episodes cause limited harm, others cause significant debility, or herald Syncope is very common and will affect 42% of people during their lifetime ( NICE guidance).

Syncopal episode icd 9