Transient Loss of Consciousness

Transient loss of consciousness is ( TLoC ) is defined as an apparent loss of consciousness with an abrupt onset , a short duration and a spontaneous and complete recovery (Gert van Dikl et al 2009 )

Consciousness is defined as the ability to maintain awareness of the self and of the environment Syncope is the form of TLoC which is caused by cerebral hypoperfusion characterized by a rapid onset , short duration and spontaneous and complete recovery Syncope can be divided into○ reflex syncope○ syncope due to orthostatic hypotension○ cardiac syncope Pre-syncope if often used to describe period before syncope , it has possibly the same pathophysiology but is not followed by syncope TLoC is very common A frequent cause of attendance to A&E and subsequent admission A TLoC episode may be a first symptom of fatal arrhythmia which causes over 100,000 deaths / year in the UK In young people most sudden deaths are due to inherited cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias The European Society of Cardiology Guideline recognises this and states the identifying the cardiac causes of syncope is critically important as several interventions/ drugs / devices are now available for treatment Recurrent TLoC episodes carry significant morbidity ,...