Syncope in older people in the emergency department

Abstract

Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness caused by a brief loss in the cerebral blood flow. Although syncope is one of the most common symptoms of older patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), the origins or causes of syncope in older patients may present differently than in younger populations, and the underlying etiology is often challenging to discern. The syncope workup should be tailored to the patient’s presentation. Disposition should be predicated on the results of the initial evaluation and risk factors for adverse outcomes. This chapter reviews the background, epidemiology, etiologies, evaluation, and disposition considerations of older patients with syncope.