A high diagnostic rate in older patients attending an integrated syncope clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the findings in the first year of an integrated syncope clinic for older patients and to review the published literature on "integrated" syncope clinics investigating older people.


METHODS
Review of syncope clinic database and Medline search for relevant literature.


METHODS
Outpatient syncope clinics in two district hospitals in the same city.


METHODS
Secondary referrals from the in- and outpatient population with recurrent unexplained presyncopal and syncopal symptoms.


RESULTS
The results of testing in 76 patients over the age of 60 years were available for analysis. A diagnosis was achieved in 67 (88%) of the patients with 76% of the diagnoses being cardiovascular in origin. The prevalence rates of neurocardiogenic syncope (32%) and carotid sinus syndrome (17%), however, differed from previously reported rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of presyncopal and syncopal events in an "integrated syncope clinic" achieves a high diagnostic yield in older subjects.
Youde
J
J
The Glenfield Hospital, University of Leicester Department of Medicine for the Elderly, United Kingdom.
Ruse
C
C
Parker
S
S
Fotherby
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012008:Recurrence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013575:Syncope / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology