Syncope in the elderly

Abstract

Ninety-four patients with syncope, 36 males and 58 females, mean age 76.7 ± 7.08 (S.D.), median 77, were evaluated according to Kapoor's criteria. Basic examination included history, physical examination, ECG, laboratory tests. Brain CT scan, 24-hour ECG and EEG were performed only when the first evaluation did not yield diagnosis. Thirty-eight syncopes were cardiogenic, 27 non-cardiogenic, 29 of unknown origin. In this age group cardiogenic syncopes are the most frequent. The patients history was of prevailing importance in non cardiogenic syncopes while ECG led to diagnosis in 65.8% of cardiogenic cases. Thirteen cardiogenic cases needed permanent pacing, 7 digoxin and 9 antiarrhythmic drugs.