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Syncope or Seizures: What Have We Learned from Electrocardiographic Monitoring?

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Cardiac Arrhythmias 2001
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Abstract

Syncope is a symptom defined as “a transient, self-limited loss of consciousness, usually leading to falling” [1]. The onset of syncope is relatively rapid, and the subsequent recovery is spontaneous, complete and usually prompt. The underlying mechanism is a transient global cerebral hypoperfusion. Seizure is, according to the same document, synonymous with an epileptic fit, and “...whatever its immediate or remote cause, an epileptic attack is the manifestation of a paroxysmal discharge of abnormal rhythms in some part of the brain” [2]. In order to differentiate between the two, simultaneous electroen-cephalographic (EEG) and electrocardiographic (ECG) recording with multiple scalp and chest electrodes is required, a situation that is rarely fulfilled.

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© 2002 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Bergfeldt, L. (2002). Syncope or Seizures: What Have We Learned from Electrocardiographic Monitoring?. In: Raviele, A. (eds) Cardiac Arrhythmias 2001. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2103-7_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2103-7_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-2165-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2103-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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