Syncope

Weekly Workout September 25, 2023

Differential Diagnoses: must know cardiac causes of syncope

A 22-year-old man presents to the ED after syncope. He reports walking around and experiencing chest discomfort and shortness of breath prior to the episode. He feels anxious on arrival…

Weekly Workout May 22, 2023

Hyperacute T waves and serial ECGs in early ACS, AV blocks, and more on sustained vs. nonsustained ventricular tachycardia

An 80-year-old man presents to the emergency department after an episode of syncope. The following ECG is obtained:

Weekly Workout July 10, 2022

Differential Diagnoses: AV blocks, tachyarrhythmias, and what you need to look for on the ECG of every patient with syncope

A 36-year-old woman is brought into the emergency department after an episode of syncope. She reports palpitations prior to the episode but is otherwise asymptomatic on arrival. Vital signs are…

Weekly Workout September 6, 2021

STAT ECG Diagnoses: the differentials to consider when dealing with ST segment elevation and an impressive syndrome

A 61-year-old woman presents the ED for evaluation of a possible acute stroke. She woke up unable to walk due to bilateral lower extremity weakness and is now also feeling…

Weekly Workout August 30, 2021

Potpourri of cases: the most common ECG findings in pulmonary embolism, electrical alternans, and so much more!

A 72-year-old woman presents the ED with atypical chest pain. She is found to be mildly tachycardic. The following ECG is obtained:

Weekly Workout May 3, 2021

STAT ECG Diagnoses: a pediatric patient with syncope and an abnormal ECG

A 9-year-old boy with PMHx of asthma presents to the ED with multiple pre-syncopal episodes. He has been evaluated for similar symptoms in the past by multiple physicians who suspected…

Weekly Workout July 27, 2020

STAT ECG Diagnoses: ECG findings of cardiac syncope, what you need to look for what you can’t miss!

A 55-year-old male with PMHx of COPD presents to the ED with dyspnea and chest pain. He is asymptomatic on arrival but reports two recent episodes of syncope without prodrome….

Weekly Workout November 25, 2019

STAT ECG Diagnoses: Brugada ECG pattern vs. Brugada syndrome

A 22-year-old male presents to the ED after a brief syncopal episode. He is now asymptomatic; history and physical exam are non-diagnostic. The patient becomes unresponsive while getting the following…

Weekly Workout June 24, 2019

2019 ECG Competition Answers (Part 1/3)

This week we review the answers to the first 6 questions from the 7th annual UMEM Residency ECG Competition. Make sure to attempt to answer the questions before clicking the red…

Weekly Workout May 27, 2019

Syncope: what to consider when the history and physical exam are not suggestive of an etiology

A 20-year-old male presents to the ED after a syncopal episode while playing soccer. He reports feeling dizzy before collapsing. He was seen in the ED a few days ago…

Weekly Workout January 14, 2019

Stepwise approach to ECG interpretation: systematic rhythm interpretation in a case of syncope

A 76-year-old male presents to the emergency department after an episode of syncope. He denies a prodrome and has no focal neurological complaints or findings. The following ECG was obtained:

Weekly Workout October 1, 2018

Syncope: Brugada Syndrome

A 33-year-old woman has a syncopal episode while in the bathroom. The following ECG was obtained on arrival to the ED after the episode:

Weekly Workout March 25, 2018

ECG reveals a can’t miss genetic cause of cardiac syncope

HPI: A 39-year-old woman with no PMHx was completing a treadmill stress test ordered by her primary care physician, when she had chest pain, palpitations and syncope. The following ECG…

Weekly Workout December 11, 2017

ECG Basics and Fundamentals: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

A 30-year-old female is brought to the ED after a syncopal episode. Her history and physical exam are unremarkable. The following ECG is obtained:

Weekly Workout November 19, 2017

STAT ECG Diagnoses: epsilon waves in patient with syncope

A teenage girl presents to the ED after brief syncope during sports activity. The following ECG is obtained:

Weekly Workout June 26, 2017

Prolonged QTC interval from severe hypokalemia

A 42-year-old woman presents to the ED with a seizure. She has been noncompliant with medications. She is now awake and well, though she appears malnourished. The following ECG was…

Weekly Workout April 3, 2017

Literature Review: Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / Cardiomyopathy

A middle-age man presents to the ED after a syncopal episode while playing tennis. The following ECG is obtained:

Weekly Workout January 16, 2017

4 challenging EMS cases to help you nail the diagnosis

A 60-year-old male calls EMS for nausea and vomiting. He is found to be hypotensive in the field with a blood pressure of 75/40 mmHg. The following ECG is obtained:

Weekly Workout May 1, 2016

Literature Review: syncope evaluation in a young athlete, a review of normal vs abnormal ECG in athletes

A 22-year-old male college basketball player presents to the ED after a syncopal episode during a late morning practice. Witnesses state that he shook for a few seconds but did…

Weekly Workout November 23, 2015

DIfferential Diagnoses: subtle but deadly causes of syncope to consider

A 56-year-old woman presents to the ED with chest pain and has a syncopal episode prior to arrival. She has a past medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, is a smoker,…

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