Syncope

Syncope results from sudden, transient, global cerebral hypoperfusion. Neurally mediated syncope, orthostatic hypotension, arrhythmic and cardiac syncope, and steal syndromes are the main pathophysiological forms of syncope. This chapter focuses on the treatment of neurally mediated syncope and orthostatic syncope, since other forms of syncope are reviewed elsewhere. In neurally mediated and orthostatic syncope, patient education and non-pharmacological measures are the mainstay of treatment, although benefits of pharmacological treatment are not so evident.