Causes of Syncope

Cardiac causes

• Structural cardiac or cardiopulmonary disease (aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, pulmonary stenosis, left atrial myxoma, aortic dissection, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac tamponade, pulmonary embolism, obstructive cardiomyopathy)

• Cardiac arrhythmias (tachyarrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias)

• Neurally mediated syncopal syndrome (includes neurocardiogenic or vasovagal syncope, carotid sinus syncope, and situational syncope)

• Orthostatic (or postural) hypotension

Metabolic causes

• Hypoxia

• Hypoglycaemia

• Hyperventilation

Psychiatric causes

• Somatisation disorders

• Hysteria

• Panic

• Fright

Neurological causes

• Seizure disorders

• Transient ischaemic attacks

• Subclavian steal syndrome

• Normal pressure hydrocephalus

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