Presyncope

Presyncope
Classification and external resources
DiseasesDB 27303
MeSH D013575

Presyncope is a state of lightheadedness,[1] muscular weakness, blurred vision, and feeling faint (as opposed to a syncope, which is actually fainting). Presyncope is most often cardiovascular in etiology. In many patients, lightheadedness is a symptom of orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops significantly when the patient stands from a supine or sitting position. If loss of consciousness occurs in this situation, it is termed syncope.

Presyncope is frequently reported in patients with forms of dysautonomia such as the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Clinical test

The tilt table test is an evaluative clinical test to help identify postural hypotension, a common cause of presyncope or syncope.[2] A tilt angle of 60 and 70 degrees is optimal and maintains a high degree of specificity.[2] A positive sign with the tilt table test must be taken in context of patient history, with consideration of pertinent clinical findings before coming to a conclusion.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Reeves, Alexander G; Rand S. Swenson. "Chapter 14: Evaluation of the Dizzy Patient". Disorders of the nervous system: a primer. Dartmouth Medical School. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  2. 1 2 Natale, A., Akhtar, M., Jazayeri, M., Dhala, A., Blanck, Z., Deshpande, S., et al. (1995). Provocation of Hypotension During Head-Up Tilt Testing in Subjects With No History of Syncope or Presyncop. American Heart Association, (92), 54-58. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.92.1.54; url: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/92/1/54.full


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