Serious outcomes among emergency department patients with presyncope: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Syncope is transient loss of consciousness, and in presyncope, patients experience same prodromal symptoms without losing consciousness. While studies have extensively reported the risk of serious outcome among emergency department (ED) syncope, the outcome for patients with presyncope and their management are not well studied. We undertook a systematic review to assess the occurrence/identification of short-term (30-day) serious outcomes among ED patients with presyncope. METHODS: ED studies that enrolled patients with presyncope and reported any short-term serious outcome were included. Studies that enrolled patients without presyncope (e.g., hypoglycemia, seizure, and stroke) were excluded. We restricted our study to only English publications and searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science from the inception date to July 2023. We used SIGN 50 tool for assessment of risk of bias. RESULTS: In total, 1788 articles were screened by two reviewers and 32 articles were selected for full-text assessment. Five (four prospective and one retrospective) studies with 2741 presyncope patients were included. Four studies were from North America and the fifth one was from Europe. Included studies had weaknesses due to risk of bias, but all had acceptable quality. The prevalence of overall adverse outcome varied 4.4%-26.8% for all adults and 5.5%-18.7% among older patients; arrhythmia was the most prevalent (17.4% in one study), followed by anemia/hemorrhage as reported in different studies. Among older patients, myocardial infarction was the third most common serious outcome reported in one study. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of short-term serious outcomes varies from 4% to 27% among ED patients with presyncope in our review, with arrhythmia being the most common serious outcome. Our review indicates that presyncope may carry a similar risk to syncope, and hence, the same level of caution should be exercised for ED presyncope management as syncope.

Masturbation-Induced Presyncope: A Case of Painless Aortic Dissection in IgG4-Related Disease.

This case concerns a 59-year-old male with a past medical history of hypertension, chronic renal insufficiency, and autoimmune pancreatitis secondary to IgG4-related disease, on chronic steroids. The patient experienced acute onset of lightheadedness, a tingling sensation to both hands, and jaw tightness while masturbating. He was found to have a Type A aortic dissection. This is the first case of its kind to document an atypical, painless aortic dissection presentation in a patient with IgG4-related disease. This piece explores how fibroinflammatory sequelae of IgG4-related disease can result in aortic manifestations and discusses the importance of considering a broader differential including aortic syndrome when encountering patients presenting with atypical symptoms.

Delaying Suspension Syndrome Onset in Aerially Suspended Victims Through Leg Raising.

INTRODUCTION: Suspension syndrome (SS) develops when venous blood pools in extremities of passively suspended individuals, resulting in presyncopal symptoms and potential unconsciousness or death independent of additional injuries. We investigated use of leg raising to delay onset of SS, as it can decrease venous pooling and increase cardiac return and systemic perfusion. METHODS: Participants were suspended in rock climbing harnesses at an indoor climbing wall in a legs-dangling control position or a legs-raised interventional position to compare physiological outcomes between groups. Participants were suspended for a maximum of 45 min. Onset of 2 or more symptoms of SS, such as vertigo, lightheadedness, or nausea, halted suspension immediately. We recorded each participant's heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, lower leg oxygen saturation, pain rating, and presyncope scores presuspension, midsuspension, and postsuspension, as well as total time suspended. RESULTS: There were 24 participants. There was a significant difference in total time suspended between groups (43.05±6.7 min vs 33.35±9.02 min, p=0.007). There was a significant difference in heart rate between groups overall (p=0.012), and between groups, specifically at the midsuspension time interval (80±11 bpm vs 100±17 bpm, p=0.003). Pain rating was significantly different between groups (p=0.05). Differences in blood pressure, oxygen saturation, lower leg oxygen saturation, and presyncope scores were not significant. CONCLUSION: Leg raising lengthened the time individuals tolerated passive suspension and delayed symptom onset.

'Size it and fix it': pulsatile abdomen and presyncope post pacemaker implantation.

A 69-year-old obese man who had undergone permanent pacemaker implantation (VVIR, Medtronic) 3 weeks prior presented with a one-day history of experiencing continued, forceful pulsations in his abdomen followed by presyncope.

A Case of Symptomatic Paroxysmal Complete Atrioventricular Block.

Paroxysmal complete atrioventricular block (PCAB) is clinically characterized by a sudden change from 1:1 atrioventricular (AV) conduction leading to complete heart block. Patients may have a vast array of symptoms, but commonly, PCAB will lead to syncope and possible sudden cardiac death. The literature currently consists of three different types of PCAB: intrinsic paroxysmal atrioventricular block, extensive vagal paroxysmal atrioventricular block, and extrinsic idiopathic paroxysmal atrioventricular block. Currently, there is no single symptom or sign that is specific to a single type of AV block. PCAB is often missed or overlooked because of its unpredictability and no evidence of conduction disease with a normal 1:1 conduction on routine electrocardiograms. Here, we present a case of a 65-year-old female who has been intermittently symptomatic for four years and was found to have PCAB.

The diagnostic efficiency of whole-body bedside ultrasonography protocol for syncope patients in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: The emergency physician should diagnose and treat the critical illnesses that cause syncope/presyncope in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Whole-body ultrasonography can detect the critical etiology of syncope with high diagnostic sensitivity. We aimed to reveal whether whole-body ultrasonography for syncope (WHOBUS-Syncope) protocol recognizes high-risk syncope patients and the effect of WHOBUS-Syncope protocol on the management of patients. METHOD: This is a prospective, cross-sectional study. Patients over the age of 18 years who presented to the ED with syncope or near syncope were included consecutively. Carotid, lung, cardiac, collapsibility of inferior vena cava, abdominal and compression ultrasonography of the lower extremity veins was performed among the WHOBUS-Syncope protocol. Frequency of abnormal sonographic findings associated with syncope/presyncope and requirement of critical intervention for abnormal sonographic findings were assessed. RESULTS: 152 patients were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 61.5 years (IQR: 41-71.8) and 52.6% were female. The most common (64.3%) abnormal sonographic finding was >50% collapse of vena cava inferior during inspiration. In addition, abnormal sonographic findings thought to cause syncope/presyncope were detected in 35.5% of the patients. Bolus fluid resuscitation were given in in 62 patients (40.8%) with increased inferior vena cava collapse. Critical interventions other than fluid resuscitation were performed for abnormal sonographic findings in 35 (23%) of the patients. Advanced age, increased heart rate and the presence of high-risk criteria in the 'European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for Syncope' were independent risk factors for detection of abnormal ultrasonographic findings related to syncope/presyncope. CONCLUSION: WHOBUS-Syncope protocol can be included in emergency practice as part of the standard evaluation in patients with syncope or presyncope presenting to the ED.

Speech-induced Atrial Tachycardia with Presyncope.

Speech-induced atrial tachycardia (AT) with presyncope is extremely rare. A 52-year-old woman employed at a supermarket reported recurrent presyncope while speaking out loud at her job. Holter electrocardiography revealed AT while swallowing without presyncope. The patient's blood pressure decreased during AT, and she experienced presyncope while saying "IRASSHAIMASE" loudly during a tilt table test. Accordingly, bisoprolol 1.25 mg was prescribed, and the patient did not experience episodes of presyncope with recurrence of AT for 2 years. This case suggests that provocation of arrhythmia in the tilting position may be useful for demonstrating a relationship between arrhythmia and presyncope and/or syncope.

Balance testing: does it make a difference?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse whether referral for specialist balance testing influences diagnosis and management of patients with dizziness. METHOD: This was a retrospective study examining patients referred for vestibular function testing between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2018. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were referred, with 69 patients (68.3 per cent) receiving a preliminary 'pre-vestibular function testing balance diagnosis', which included benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (32.7 per cent), Ménière's disease (13.8 per cent) and migraine (14.9 per cent). Following vestibular function testing, revised diagnoses were achieved for 54 patients (53.5 per cent), including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (14.9 per cent), Ménière's disease (3.0 per cent) and migraine (10.9 per cent). Pre-vestibular function testing balance diagnoses were confirmed for 32.4 per cent of patients. If no pre-vestibular function testing suspected diagnosis was provided, vestibular function testing was significantly more likely to be inconclusive. Following vestibular function testing, 38.6 per cent were discharged, 21.7 per cent were referred to another specialty and treatment was commenced for 17.8 per cent of patients. CONCLUSION: Referral for vestibular function testing has a role when attempting to answer a clear clinical question. Diagnosing the underlying aetiology of complex imbalance is challenging, but diagnosis can be assisted by judicious use of vestibular function testing.

Left atrial myxoma: an unusual cause of pre-syncope and symptomatic bradycardia.

BACKGROUND: Atrial myxomas account for approximately 50% of all primary cardiac tumors. The size, location, risk of embolic event, and involvement of other cardiac structures, are all factors that contribute to the wide range of presentation for cardiac myxomas. Patients with myxomas may remain asymptomatic, while others may report symptoms such as fatigue and fever, dyspnea, and syncope. It is important to recognize arrhythmias as an uncommon symptom of myxomas. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of a 67-year-old man who presented with pre-syncopal episodes, symptomatic bradycardia, and night sweats found to have a 5.5 × 5.1 × 3 cm myxoma in the left atrium. During diastole the mass caused dynamic flow obstruction across the mitral valve. The patient underwent surgical resection of the mass given his symptomatology and risk of embolic events. Removal of the myxoma resulted in resolution of both pre-syncopal episodes and the patient's sinus bradycardia. CONCLUSION: Atrial myxomas are a rare cause of pre-syncope and symptomatic bradycardia. It is important to have a clinical suspicion for atrial myxomas given early diagnosis and surgical intervention are key in improving the prognosis of these patients. This case also highlights the importance of taking into account the source of the myxoma's blood supply in relationship to other cardiac structures, and further correlating these findings with clinical symptoms.

Prognostic accuracy of syncope clinical prediction rules in older adults in the emergency department.

Study objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the prognostic accuracy of existing rules (San Francisco Syncope Rule [SFSR], Canadian Syncope Risk Score [CSRS], and FAINT score) in older adults. Methods: This is a cohort study of adults aged ≥60 years presenting to an academic emergency department (ED) with syncope or near syncope. We used original criteria for all rules except for the FAINT score, in which N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was largely missing from the extracted data. Patients were deemed positive for each rule if classified as non-low risk. The primary outcome was the presence of 30-day serious outcome, as defined by syncope research guidelines. Sensitivity and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 404 ED visits (mean age of patients, 75.5 years) were included. Of these, 44 (10.9%) had a 30-day serious outcome, and 24 (5.9%) had incomplete 30-day follow-up. SFSR was positive for 280 of 380 visits with complete follow-up. Its sensitivity and NLR for predicting 30-day serious outcomes were 86.4% (95% CI, 72.0%-94.3%) and 0.53 (95% CI, 0.25-1.15), respectively. The CSRS was positive for 299 of 380 visits (sensitivity was 88.6% [95% CI, 76.4%-95.7%], and NLR was 0.50 [95% CI, 0.22-1.17]). The modified FAI(N)T score was positive for 318 of 380 visits (sensitivity was 90.9% [95% CI, 77.4%-97.0%], and NLR was 0.53 [95% CI, 0.20-1.38]). Conclusion: Existing rules are suboptimal to predict 30-day serious outcomes in older adults presenting with syncope or near syncope to the ED.

Lower body muscle preactivation and tensing mitigate symptoms of initial orthostatic hypotension in young females.

BACKGROUND: Initial orthostatic hypotension (IOH) is a form of orthostatic intolerance defined by a transient decrease in blood pressure upon standing. Current clinical recommendations for managing IOH includes standing up slowly or lower body muscle tensing (TENSE) after standing. Considering that IOH is likely due to a large muscle activation response resulting in excessive vasodilation with a refractory period (<2 minutes), we hypothesized that preactivating lower body muscles (PREACT) before standing would reduce the drop in mean arterial pressure (MAP) upon standing and improve presyncope symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to provide IOH patients with effective symptom management techniques. METHODS: Study participants completed 3 sit-to-stand maneuvers, including a stand with no intervention (Control), PREACT, and TENSE. Continuous heart rate and beat-to-beat blood pressure were measured. Stroke volume and cardiac output were then estimated from these waveforms. RESULTS: A total of 24 female IOH participants (mean ± SD: 32 ± 8 years) completed the study. The drops in MAP following PREACT (-21 ± 8 mm Hg; P <.001) and TENSE (-18 ± 10 mm Hg; P <.001) were significantly reduced compared to Control (-28 ± 10 mm Hg). The increase in cardiac output was significantly larger following PREACT (2.6 ± 1 L/min; P <.001) but not TENSE (1.9 ± 1 L/min; P = .2) compared to Control (1.4 ± 1 L/min). The Vanderbilt Orthostatic Symptom Score following PREACT (9 ± 8 au; P = .033) and TENSE (8 ± 8 au; P = .046) both were significantly reduced compared to Control (14 ± 9 au). CONCLUSION: Both the drop in MAP and symptoms upon standing improved with either PREACT or TENSE. These maneuvers provide novel symptom management techniques for patients with IOH.

Prevalence of symptoms in 1512 COVID-19 patients: have dizziness and vertigo been underestimated thus far?

The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and dizziness is still unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and characteristics of dizziness and vertigo among patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Patients discharged from the emergency rooms with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis were assisted by daily telephone calls until nasopharyngeal swab negativization, and specific symptoms concerning balance disorders were investigated through targeted questions posed by experienced physicians. The study included 1512 subjects (765 females, 747 males), with a median age of 51 ± 18.4 years. New-onset dizziness was reported by 251 (16.6%) patients, among whom 110 (43.8%) complained of lightheadedness, 70 (27.9%) of disequilibrium, 41 (16.3%) of presyncope, and 30 (12%) of vertigo. This study analyzed in detail the prevalence and pathophysiological mechanisms of the different types of balance disorders in a large sample, and the results suggest that dizziness should be included among the main symptoms of COVID-19 because one-sixth of patients reported this symptom, with females being significantly more affected than males (20.3 vs 12.9%, P < 0.001). Most cases of dizziness were attributable to lightheadedness, which was probably exacerbated by psychophysical stress following acute infection and mandatory quarantine. Vertigo should not be underestimated because it might underlie serious vestibular disorders, and disequilibrium in elderly individuals should be monitored due to the possible risk of falls.

Permanent pacemaker implantation in unexplained syncope patients with electrophysiology study-proven atrioventricular node disease.

OBJECTIVE: Syncope, whose cause is unknown after an initial assessment, has an uncertain prognosis. It is critical to identify patients at the highest risk who may require a pacemaker and to identify the cause of recurrent syncope to prescribe proper therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of permanent pacing on the incidence of syncope in patients with unexplained syncope and electrophysiology study (EPS)-proven atrioventricular (AV) node disease. METHODS: This was an observational study based on a prospective registry of 236 consecutive patients (60.20 ± 18.66 years, 63.1% male, 60.04 ± 9.50 bpm) presenting with recurrent unexplained syncope attacks admitted to our hospital for invasive EPS. The decision to implant a permanent pacemaker was made in all cases by the attending physicians according to the results of the EPS. A total of 135 patients received the antibradycardia pacemaker (ABP), while 101 patients were declined. RESULTS: The mean of reported syncope episodes was 1.97 ± 1.10 (or presyncope 2.17 ± 1.50) before they were referred for a combined EP-guided diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Over a mean follow-up of approximately 4 years (49.19 ± 29.58 months), the primary outcome event (syncope) occurred in 31 of 236 patients (13.1%), and 6 of 135 (4.4%) patients in the ABP group as compared to 25 of 101 (24.8%) in the no pacemaker group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Among patients with a history of unexplained syncope, a set of positivity criteria for the presence of EPS-defined AV node disease identifies a subset of patients who will benefit from permanent pacing.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair for the treatment of severe mitral regurgitation and exertional pre-syncope in a patient with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has a complex pathophysiology and heterogeneous phenotypic expression. In obstructive HCM with significant mitral regurgitation (MR), MitraClip device implantation reduces MR severity and symptoms. There are no data regarding MitraClip implantation in patients with non-obstructive HCM and significant MR. CASE SUMMARY: A 78-year-old woman with non-obstructive HCM and significant functional MR (3+) was admitted to our centre for dyspnoea and episodes of pre-syncope under light stress. Transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography showed a normal left ventricular ejection fraction and normal right heart pressures, an inverted mitral filling pattern, and a central prevalent jet (A2-P2 origin) of MR. Exercise echocardiography performed to verify exercise tolerance was interrupted at the 50-W stage due to severe hypotension and pre-syncope. After transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using the MitraClip system, the patient exhibited a reduction in MR Grade from 3+ to 1+. Follow-up up to 1-year post-procedure revealed noticeable improvements in exercise tolerance and symptoms. There were no further episodes of pre-syncope. DISCUSSION: In non-obstructive HCM, the pathophysiological role of MR in symptom generation is unknown. In this patient, we speculated that significant MR contributed to the mechanisms responsible for severe hypotension and pre-syncope during exercise. A reduction in MR after MitraClip implantation was associated with symptomatic improvements. Our findings further highlight the potential utility of the exercise stress test in therapeutic decision-making for patients with non-obstructive HCM and MR.

Syncope and Sarcoidosis: A Criss-Cross of Diagnoses.

Syncope has a broad range of differential diagnoses. Sarcoidosis, a multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by the formation of noncaseating granulomas, is a rare but important diagnosis to consider while evaluating patients presenting with presyncopal or syncopal symptoms. Although sarcoidosis is most commonly known to affect the lungs, it is estimated that at least 25% of patients with sarcoidosis have myocardial involvement, with only 5% of these patients showing clinical symptoms. Here, we present the rare case of a Caucasian male patient diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis after presenting to the hospital with presyncope. The patient had an internal cardioverter-defibrillator placed during hospitalization and was initiated on prednisone and methotrexate in the outpatient setting. He exhibited clinical and radiographical improvement in the six-month follow-up period after treatment was initiated.