Task Force Report Guidelines on management ( diagnosis and treatment ) of syncope *

Table of contents Preamble Scope of the document 1256 Method 1257 Part 1. Classification, epidemiology and prognosis Definition 1258 Brief overview of pathophysiology of syncope 1258 Classification 1259 Epidemiological considerations 1259 Prognostic stratification: identification of factors predictive of adverse outcome 1260 Part 2. Diagnosis Strategy of evaluation (flow chart) 1262 Initial evaluation (history, physical examination, baseline electrocardiogram) 1264 Echocardiogram 1266 Carotid sinus massage 1266 Tilt testing 1268 Electrocardiographic monitoring (non-invasive and invasive) 1271 Electrophysiological testing 1273 ATP test 1277 Ventricular signal-averaged electrocardiogram 1278 Exercise testing 1278 Cardiac catheterization and angiography 1279 Neurological and psychiatric evaluation 1279 Diagnostic yield and prevalence of causes of syncope 1282 Part 3. Treatment General principles 1282 Neurally-mediated reflex syncopal syndromes 1283 Orthostatic hypotension 1285 Cardiac arrhythmias as primary cause 1286 Structural cardiac or cardiopulmonary disease 1289 Vascular steal syndromes 1289 Metabolic 1290 Part 4. Special issues in evaluating patients with syncope Need for hospitalization 1290 Syncope in the older adult 1290 Syncope in paediatric patients 1292 Driving and syncope 1293 Glossary of uncertain terms 1293