Syncope

Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) is a chronic condition, predominately affecting women between the ages of 15 and 50, and prevalence is estimated to be 0.2%.1,2 It is characterised by an abnormal response by the autonomic nervous system to changes in posture causing lightheadedness or fainting due to the excessively reduced volume of blood returning to the heart when the individual […]

Vasovagal syncope (VVS), the most common cause of fainting, is predominantly caused by an overactive vagal tone, leading to asystole, sinus bradycardia, or atrioventricular block.1 This condition, a form of neurocardiogenic syncope, is characterized by a pronounced vagal reflex that causes reflex-induced hypotension and bradycardia. Traditional management strategies, including increased salt and water intake, physical counterpressure […]

The Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands, has been recognized worldwide as a Center of Excellence for syncope, a common and yet all too often misdiagnosed symptom. Roland Thijs has received this prestigious award in recognition of its pioneering work for Implementation of the ESC Syncope Guidelines in the emergency ward. His team reported an improvement in diagnostic yield, accuracy and societal costs […]

Vasovagal syncope is common, and while it is usually associated with a benign prognosis, it results in significant physical and psychological morbidity for affected individuals. Despite comprehensive understanding of the underlying pathophysiology, there have been few definitive therapeutic advances until recent randomized, controlled trials in pharmacotherapy, pacing and cardioneuroablation. In this review, we highlight the […]