Signs And Symptoms Of Cardiac Syncope?
Syncope
Syncope is one of the number one dental office emergencies. Syncope is when the patient becomes unconscious. This normally occurs due to anxiety or fear for the situation around them. There are three different types of syncope, including cardiac, non-cardiac, and neurocardiac. There is three stages of syncope, which are, pre-syncope, syncope, and recovery. There are many signs and symptoms for each stage of syncope. No matter the type of syncopal episode there is one way to go about treating the patient.
Cardiac syncope occurs when there is an “inadequate cardiac output and usually occurs as a result of a serious underlying heart condition (Grimes)”. Syncope of this type can be caused by conditions such as tachyarrhythmia, bradyarrhythmia, pacemaker malfunction, and ventricular obstructions (grimes). Non-cardiac syncope can be caused by many of the physiologic processes in the human body. This includes seizures, situational occurrences, hyperventilation, metabolic diseases, and orthostatic hypotension. Of the reasons above listed, the most common in the dental field is the orthostatic hypotension. This is caused due …show more content…
The next step would be to evaluate the patient’s consciousness level. Once in a syncopal state the best position for the patient to be in, is a supine position with their feet elevated. This is the best because it facilitates the blood to return to the brain (grimes). Once positioned correctly the airways, breathing, and pulse need to be checked and monitored. Begin to administer 4-6 L/min of oxygen to patient, if unconsciousness continues call 911. Patient typically regain consciousness within a few seconds to minutes (grimes). The longer they stay unconscious, the more serious the problem could become. If the syncopal episode was cardiac or non-cardiac, the patient should be referred to
Syncope is one of the number one dental office emergencies. Syncope is when the patient becomes unconscious. This normally occurs due to anxiety or fear for the situation around them. There are three different types of syncope, including cardiac, non-cardiac, and neurocardiac. There is three stages of syncope, which are, pre-syncope, syncope, and recovery. There are many signs and symptoms for each stage of syncope. No matter the type of syncopal episode there is one way to go about treating the patient.
Cardiac syncope occurs when there is an “inadequate cardiac output and usually occurs as a result of a serious underlying heart condition (Grimes)”. Syncope of this type can be caused by conditions such as tachyarrhythmia, bradyarrhythmia, pacemaker malfunction, and ventricular obstructions (grimes). Non-cardiac syncope can be caused by many of the physiologic processes in the human body. This includes seizures, situational occurrences, hyperventilation, metabolic diseases, and orthostatic hypotension. Of the reasons above listed, the most common in the dental field is the orthostatic hypotension. This is caused due …show more content…
The next step would be to evaluate the patient’s consciousness level. Once in a syncopal state the best position for the patient to be in, is a supine position with their feet elevated. This is the best because it facilitates the blood to return to the brain (grimes). Once positioned correctly the airways, breathing, and pulse need to be checked and monitored. Begin to administer 4-6 L/min of oxygen to patient, if unconsciousness continues call 911. Patient typically regain consciousness within a few seconds to minutes (grimes). The longer they stay unconscious, the more serious the problem could become. If the syncopal episode was cardiac or non-cardiac, the patient should be referred to