Evaluation of patients with syncope. Separating the 'wheat' from the 'chaff'.
Although fairly common, syncope is a frightening symptom that can signal a serious underlying disease. The varying causes present a diagnostic challenge to the examining physician, who needs to assess whether referral for more specialized or invasive study is appropriate. The authors review common cases of syncope and outline a practical approach to rapidly identifying high-risk patients--in other words, to separating the "wheat" from the "chaff."
Hopson
J R
JR
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Internal Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
Kienzle
M G
MG
D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology*