title: Hot topics from the Assemblies.
abstract: Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness typically due to cerebral hypoperfusion with many causes, including pulmonary embolism. The prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with syncope is unknown; hence, in a prospective study, Prandoniet al.and the PESIT investigators report in theNew England Journal of Medicinethe prevalence of pulmonary embolism in 560 patients admitted for a first episode of syncope at 11 medical centres in Italy.