Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients Presenting with Syncope

Abstract

Syncope accounts for 1‐3% of emergency department (ED) visits and 1‐6% of hospital admissions. There are numerous etiologies, ranging from relatively benign vasovagal syncope to dangerous dysrhythmias. The ED evaluation and management of syncope is comprised of history, examination, and typically an electrocardiogram, with further investigation dependent upon clinical decision‐making and suspected conditions. Previously, pulmonary embolism (PE) was thought to account for a small minority of patients with syncope. However, a recent study by Prandoni and colleagues reported a high prevalence of PE in admitted patients with syncope (3.8% of ED patients and 17.3% of hospitalized patients).

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