This card is confusing to the user, I do not understand the underlying concepts being tested here. These are the 3 concepts I came up with, but again, the symptoms listed on the card are inconsistent with either a seizure or vasovagal syncope.
Arrhythmia-induced syncope:
cannot simply call this "cardiac" cause, because a valvular cause would have a prodrome of symptoms (exertional dyspnea, etc)
- caused by acute-onset bradyarrhythmias or tachyarrhythmias that lead to transient cerebral hypoperfusion
- risk factors for arrhythmias = 1) ischemic heart disease, 2) structural heart disease, or 3) previous arrhythmias
Neurogenic etiology - meaning seizure, yes this would present suddenly, may have a prodrome (aura - motor, visual, smell, etc), focal neurologic deficits could be expected (esp. focal impaired/unimparied awareness seizure), will have a post-ictal state
Neurogenic syncope = vasovagal syncope
- due to a reflex that causes vasodilation, bradycardia, or both
- often triggered by emotional stress, pain, or prolonged standing
- prodromal symptoms such as diaphoresis, warmth, nausea, and pallor, followed by hypotension and bradycardia (can be absent, uncommon)
- transient focal neurological symptoms can occasionally be seen during neurogenic syncope, they are not common


Watch Seizure vs. Syncope





Watch Approach to Palpitations & Arrythmias







Watch Family Medicine Syncope DDx
Watch Internal Medicine Syncope DDx


Watch Bradycardia Workup & Management









