August 2006

Multiple imaging modalities were used to assess left ventricular function in a 64-year-old patient with prior inferior myocardial infarction.

A 37-year-old man was referred for assessment and treatment of syncope by his family doctor.

In the Prevention of Syncope Trial, we evaluated whether beta-blocker treatment with metoprolol was beneficial for the treatment of patients with vasovagal syncope. Results showed little evidence that metoprolol was effective in reducing the burden of syncopal symptoms. In a substudy analysis, neither age nor response to isoproterenol was useful in selecting which patients might benefit from metoprolol.

Neurocardiogenic syncope (vasovagal syncope) is the most common cause of loss of consciousness, ranging in various studies from 18% to 58% of all syncopal events.