cardiogenic syncope

(noun)

Of the two broad categories of syncope, cardiogenic forms are more likely to produce serious morbidity or mortality and require prompt treatment. Although cardiogenic syncope is much more common in older patients, an effort to rule out arrhythmic, obstructive, ischemic, or cardiomyopathic causes of syncope and circulatory inadequacy is mandatory in each patient.

Related Terms

Examples of cardiogenic syncope in the following topics:

  • Syncope

    • There are two broad categories of syncope, cardiogenic or reflex, which underlie most forms of syncope.
    • Cardiogenic forms are more likely to produce serious morbidity or mortality and require prompt or even immediate treatment.
    • Although cardiogenic syncope is much more common in older patients, an effort to rule out arrhythmic, obstructive, ischemic, or cardiomyopathic causes of syncope and circulatory inadequacy is mandatory in each patient.
    • Other types include postural syncope (caused by a change in body posture), cardiac syncope (due to heart-related conditions), and neurological syncope (due to neurological conditions).
    • Recurrent syncope with complex associated symptoms called neurally mediated syncope.

  • Carotid Sinus Syncope and Massage

    • Massage of the carotid sinus, or carotid sinus massage, is used to diagnose carotid sinus syncope.
    • This condition is called carotid sinus syncope, and results in dramatic changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
    • Carotid sinus syncope sometimes accompanies convulsive seizures because of the intensity of the carotid sinus reflex when pressure builds in one or both carotid sinuses.

  • Pulmonary Edema

    • It is due to either failure of the left ventricle of the heart to adequately remove blood from the pulmonary circulation ("cardiogenic pulmonary edema") or an injury to the lung parenchyma or vasculature of the lung ("noncardiogenic pulmonary edema").
    • In the case of cardiogenic pulmonary edema, urgent echocardiography may strengthen the diagnosis by demonstrating impaired left ventricular function, high central venous pressures, and high pulmonary artery pressures.

  • Signs and Symptoms of Shock

    • The symptoms of cardiogenic shock are similar to those of hypovolemic shock, with a weak pulse.

  • Types of Shock

  • Water Balance Disorders

    • Other forms of shock with similar symptoms may be due to problems in the heart (cardiogenic) or bacterial infection (septic).

  • Vagus (X) Nerve

    • Excessive activation of the vagal nerve during emotional stress can also cause vasovagal syncope due to a sudden drop in cardiac output, causing cerebral hypoperfusion.

  • Congenital Heart Defects

    • Some children have no signs while others may exhibit shortness of breath, cyanosis, syncope, heart murmur, under-developing of limbs and muscles, poor feeding or growth, or respiratory infections.