Episodes Of Transient Loss Of Consciousness Research Articles

Triggers, Risk Factors, and the Prevalence of Syncope Among Domestic Hajj Pilgrims, 2023: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Syncope and other transient loss of consciousness episodes in crowded and unfamiliar environments may lead to major health hazards. Despite numerous publications, data on syncope among Hajj pilgrims in Makkah is lacking. To identify the triggers, risk factors, and prevalence of syncope and other transient loss of consciousness episodes among domestic pilgrims. This cross-sectional study included a convenient sample of domestic pilgrims who performed Hajj in July 2023 using an online Google Forms questionnaire (Alphabet Inc., Mountain View, CA). Out of388 participants, 69 (18.1%) reported a history of syncope during the Hajj pilgrimage. Among these, 57 (82.6%) reported complete loss of consciousness, and 56 (81.2%) noted warning symptoms preceding the episode. The syncopal attack occurred once in 49 respondents (71%). Several triggers for syncope were identified, withsudden standing from a sitting position being the most prevalent (100%). Additional co-triggers were crowding (n=43; 62.3%), stressful conditions (n=30; 43.2%), prolonged standing (n=21; 30.4%), and walking (n=11; 15.9%). Traumatic injuries were reported in 33 (47.8%) as a result of syncope. Standing for long periods of time on the day of Arafat (Arafat standing) emerged as the most common triggering situation (n=48; 69.6%). There were multiple medical factors contributing tosyncopal episodes; the most common medical explanations were heat exhaustion (n=48; 69.6%), dehydration (n=24; 34.8%), over-exertion (n=48; 69.6%), low blood sugar (n=10; 14.5%), and low blood pressure (n=17; 24.6%). Significant predictors were the presence of cardiac disease (odd ratio (OR) 7.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.71-21.45, p<0.001), anemia (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.01-6.09, p=0.049), previous syncope (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.02-6.27, p=0.049, and family history of syncope (OR 10.1, 95% CI 2.08-49.32, p=0.004). Syncope during the domestic Hajj pilgrimage is frequent, especially on the day of Arafat, and carries the risk of traumatic injury. People with previous episodes of syncope and comorbidities, especially cardiac patients and those who have a family history of syncope, are particularly prone to this risk. Healthcare should focus on at-riskpatients, particularly on critical pilgrimage days, and increase pilgrims' awareness about triggers of syncope including sudden and prolonged standing, exertion, and heat exposure.

Seizure or syncope: Is the history-based scale feasible to use in an emergency department setting?

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of a screening questionnaire, based on historical criteria, in distinguishing between seizures and syncope in patients experiencing their first episode of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) in a neurology emergency department. MethodsA prospective cohort of 159 patients with initial TLOC episodes underwent clinical observation and answered a nine-question screening questionnaire. The questionnaire's predictive ability was compared to final diagnoses determined through detailed neurology, electrophysiology, and cardiology assessments during a minimum 12-month follow-up. Logistic regression (LR) analysis was performed with final diagnosis as the outcome variable. The calibration and discrimination of the models were assessed. Resultsrevealed that the screening score accurately classified 72.33% of patients. Among those with positive screening scores, 65 (67.71%) had seizures compared to 31 (32.29%) with syncope. Introducing a novel risk-scoring model incorporating age and gender, in addition to the screening score, significantly improved performance achieving an accurate classification rate of 81.48%. Among patients with a positive prediction, 63 (80.77%) had seizure, whereas 15 (19.23%) had syncope. ConclusionsEmploying a structured questionnaire based on common historical criteria is a valuable tool for distinguishing between seizure and syncope in the dynamic setting of the emergency department.

Cardioversion of supraventricular tachycardia in a cat with suspected Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome in the absence of structural cardiac disease

AbstractThe objective of this publication is to provide the clinical presentation, electrocardiographic findings and therapy for management of suspected Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome in a cat without evidence of underlying cardiomyopathy or systemic disease. A 2‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was presented for continued investigations following recent transient loss of consciousness episodes. Electrocardiography showed a sustained supraventricular tachycardia, which was successfully converted to sinus rhythm with intravenous diltiazem administration. Ventricular pre‐excitation was presumed during the electrocardiogram postconversion and oral diltiazem was instituted. Cardiac troponin I was measured, conversely to prior reports, which was significantly high on presentation and decreased after treatment. The new information provided by this case report is that it represents an original description of Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome in a cat without any obvious underlying cardiomyopathy, and treatment protocol resulted in a successful outcome to date.

Heart rhythm characterisation during unexplained transient loss of consciousness in dogs

The identification of the heart rhythm during an episode of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is considered the reference standard method to elucidate the underlying aetiology. This study aimed to characterise heart rhythm in dogs during TLOC using Holter and external loop recorder monitoring. We retrospectively reviewed 24-h Holter monitoring and external loop recorder tracings from 8084 dogs. Heart rhythms from dogs that experienced TLOC during the recording was analysed to identify rhythm disturbances that occurred during episodes of TLOC. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were subsequently categorised into Type 1 (ventricular arrest), Type 2 (sinus bradycardia), Type 3 (no/slight rhythm variations), and Type 4 (tachycardia).Transient LOC was documented in 92 dogs over 230 episodes of TLOC. Percentage of cases with ECGs compatible with each classification were as follows: 72.1%, Type 1; 6.1%, Type 2; 20.9%, Type 3; and 0.9%, Type 4. Cardiac rhythm during the TLOC could have been a consequence of a neurocardiogenic mechanism in 46.7% cases, while intrinsic rhythm disturbances of the sinus node or of the atrioventricular node were diagnosed in 31.5% cases. In two cases, tachycardia was the possible cause of the TLOC. ECG patterns in dogs presenting with multiple TLOC episodes were completely reproducible during each episode. TLOC in dogs was primarily caused by ventricular arrest. Most dogs with TLOC had electrocardiographic finding suggestive of a reflex or neurally-mediated syncope, but one third had an ECG more suggestive of a conduction disorder. Distinguishing these two entities could help inform diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic plans.

Panic symptoms in transient loss of consciousness: Frequency and diagnostic value in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, epilepsy and syncope

PurposePrevious studies suggest that ictal panic symptoms are common in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). This study investigates the frequency of panic symptoms in PNES and if panic symptoms, just before or during episodes, can help distinguish PNES from the other common causes of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC), syncope and epilepsy. MethodsPatients with secure diagnoses of PNES (n=98), epilepsy (n=95) and syncope (n=100) were identified using clinical databases from three United Kingdom hospitals. Patients self-reported the frequency with which they experienced seven symptoms of panic disorder in association with their episodes. A composite panic symptom score was calculated on the basis of the frequency of symptoms. Results8.2% of patients with PNES reported “never” experiencing any of the seven panic symptoms in their episodes of TLOC. Patients with PNES reported more frequent panic symptoms in their attacks than those with epilepsy (p<0.001) or syncope (p<0.001), however, patients with PNES were more likely “rarely” or “never” to report five of the seven-ictal panic symptoms than “frequently” or “always” (45–69% versus 13–29%). A receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that the composite panic symptom score distinguished patients with PNES from the other groups (sensitivity 71.1%, specificity 71.2%), but not epilepsy from syncope. ConclusionsPatients with PNES report TLOC associated panic symptoms more commonly than those with epilepsy or syncope. Although panic symptoms are reported infrequently by most patients with PNES, a composite symptom score may contribute to the differentiation between PNES and the other two common causes of TLOC.

Protocolo diagnóstico de la pérdida de conciencia transitoria en el adulto y en el anciano

The transient loss of consciousness (TLC) is defined as a loss of consciousness abrupt onset, short duration and spontaneous complete recovery. The TLC is a very common cause of medical consultation, especially in the emergency department. Episodes of TLC may be secondary to different entities such as syncope, seizures and functional disorders. In most patients, the TLC is secondary to syncope. However, some studies suggest that up to one in four individuals are wrongly diagnosed as epileptic seizures. This protocol aims to help in the diagnosis of patients with TLC. The various entities that involve TLC will be presented, exploring the elements of the clinical and laboratory tests that may be helpful to reach an accurate diagnosis.

History of syncope predicts loss of consciousness after head trauma: Retrospective study.

Head trauma may present as transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) currently classified as traumatic in origin, in contrast to non-traumatic forms, such as syncope. Whether past history of syncope predisposes to loss of consciousness after head injury has been poorly studied. A retrospective analysis of data obtained from 818 consecutive patients admitted to Emergency Departments was conducted. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were performed, where patients' past history of syncope and head injury were explored. Head injury events were stratified as high- or low-energy trauma. Data regarding past syncopal events were explored in regard to number, age at the first occurrence, and syncope circumstances. Multivariate logistic regression model was applied to assess the relationship between loss of consciousness during head injury and past history of syncope. Both past history of non-traumatic TLOC (odds ratio [OR] 3.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.13-6.68, p < 0.001) and high-energy mechanism (OR 3.84; 95% CI 2.35-6.28, p < 0.001) predicted TLOC after head trauma. This relationship was even stronger when past episodes of TLOC were limited to those typical for reflex syncope (OR 4.34; 95% CI 2.34-7.89, p < 0.001). Further, the number of non-traumatic TLOC episodes in the patient's history was also predictive of TLOC after head injury (OR per 1 episode: 1.24; 95% CI 1.04-1.48, p = 0.015). Syncope in a patient's history predicts loss of consciousness after head injury. The clinical importance of this finding merits further investigation.

The usefulness of the head-up tilt test in patients with suspected epilepsy

PurposeIt is estimated that approximately 20–30% of patients diagnosed with epilepsy have been misdiagnosed, and neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) might frequently be the real cause of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) episodes.We assessed the role of the head-up tilt test (HUTT) in patients previously diagnosed with refractory epilepsy to evaluate the ability of this test to correctly diagnose patients with NCS. MethodWe retrospectively analysed the clinical records of 107 consecutive patients with a previous diagnosis of refractory epilepsy that were taking antiepileptic drugs and who were referred for HUTT between January 2000 and December 2010. During the subsequent follow-up, we recorded the treatments performed and the recurrence of symptoms. ResultsComplete follow-up data were available for 94 (88%) patients, and the mean follow-up period was 80±36 months. The HUTT was positive in 54% of patients. Thirty-one (33%) patients were misdiagnosed with epilepsy, and 20 (21%) patients had a dual diagnosis of NCS and epilepsy. The recurrence of TLOC was reported in 55% of the patients, but it was significantly lower in the misdiagnosed group (42% versus 64%; P=0.039). ConclusionNCS is an important cause of epilepsy misdiagnosis. The HUTT is often critical for making an accurate diagnosis and subsequently selecting the appropriate treatment for patients presenting with TLOC. The diagnostic overlap between epilepsy and NCS is not uncommon, suggesting that electroencephalographic monitoring during a HUTT may play an important role in diagnosing patients with recurrent, undiagnosed TLOC episodes.

Implantable loop recorders are cost-effective when used to investigate transient loss of consciousness which is either suspected to be arrhythmic or remains unexplained

To assess the cost-effectiveness of implantable loop recorders (ILRs) in people with transient loss of consciousness (TLoC), which, after initial assessment and specialist cardiovascular assessment, is either suspected to be arrhythmic in origin or remains unexplained. This analysis was conducted to inform clinical guideline recommendations made by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the management of TLoC. Decision analytic modelling was used to estimate the costs and benefits of using ILRs compared with a strategy of no further diagnostic testing. Diagnostic outcomes were estimated from a systematic review and used to populate a decision tree model. To capture the main consequences of diagnosis, the costs and benefits of treatment for several clinically significant arrhythmias were estimated within the model. We used a cost-utility approach, in which benefits are measured using quality adjusted life years (QALYs), and took a UK National Health Service (NHS) and personal social services perspective. The cost per QALY was £17,400 in patients with unexplained syncope and £16,400 in patients with suspected arrhythmic syncope. Sensitivity analysis found that the cost-effectiveness estimates are fairly robust despite the areas of uncertainty identified in the evidence and assumptions used to inform the model. Implantable loop recorder monitoring is likely to be a cost-effective strategy in people presenting to the UK NHS who are experiencing infrequent episodes of TLoC which either remain unexplained or are suspected to be arrhythmic after initial assessment and specialist cardiovascular assessment. Implantable loop recorder monitoring has been recommended by NICE for these populations.

Transient loss of consciousness misdiagnosed as epileptic seizure: About one case

Abstract Syncopal events resulting in a transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) are a common Emergency Department (ED) presentation. However, successful identification of syncopal events as the cause of a TLOC can be a diagnostic challenge. In this paper, the case of a 54-year-old man presenting to the ED with TLOC and seizure-like activity will be examined. In addition to the patient's presentation, management and disposition, the underlying pathophysiology of the patient's diagnosis is also reviewed. In this case, the patient's TLOC episodes were initially misdiagnosed as first presentation epileptic seizure. The patient, Mr A, may have gone on to undergo unnecessary testing and potentially dangerous pharmacotherapy. A key factor in this case was accurate initial and ongoing emergency nursing assessment that eventually highlighted the true cause of Mr A's TLOC. This case highlights the crucial role of emergency nurses and demonstrates that accurate nursing assessment can improve diagnostic accuracy and contribute towards positive patient outcomes.