Diagnosis and evaluation of syncope in the emergency department.

With a careful history, physical examination, and directed investigation, physicians can determine the likely cause of syncope in more than 50% and perhaps up to 80% of patients. Understanding the cause of syncope allows clinicians to determine the disposition of high- and low-risk patients. Patients with a potential malignant cause, such as a cardiac or neurologic condition, should be treated and admitted. Those with benign causes can be safely discharged. This article reviews the diagnosis and ED work-up of syncope, the different classifications of syncope, and prognosis. The use of specific decision rules in risk stratification and syncope in the pediatric population are discussed in another article. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.