"Its all about the fall", JACC case report revisits the classical dilemma of syncope vs. seizure.
Figure: 1) Before atrioventricular block (red arrow, “start of block”), there is slight PR interval prolongation (red bracket: PR interval, 170 ms; blue bracket: PR interval, 240 ms). There is no PP interval prolongation before block (solid red line), and there is PP interval shortening during block (dotted red line). The duration of atrioventricular block measures 22.8 s (vertical arrows, “start of block “to “end of block”). (2) Period of complete heart block without any ventricular rhythm. (3) Complete heart block with 2 ventricular escape beats, which are slightly wider than the patient’s conducted QRS complexes (blue arrows). (4) Junctional escape beats, which match the patient’s conducted QRS complexes (green arrows), followed by sinus rhythm with 2:1 conduction (P waves, not labeled because of motion artifact; conducted QRS complexes, orange arrows). (5) Sinus rhythm with 1:1 conduction (P waves, yellow arrows; conducted QRS complexes, orange arrows). Note that sinus rate has increased from 68 to 115 beats/min by the end (blue box), denoting a physiological sympathetic response to pathological atrioventricular block.
Differential diagnosis and ascertainment of the cause of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is both art and science for practicing physicians. The differentiation between syncope and seizures is often marred by paucity of detailed history and definite clinical examination findings.
A recent JACC case report describes one such case of convulsive TLOC where the initial diagnosis of psychogenic seizures was incorrect, but a fortuitously captured event on telemetry yielded the diagnosis: extrinsic idiopathic atrioventricular block.
A 62-year-old woman presented with multiple convulsive episodes corresponding to TLOC. Witnesses de4scribed an event lasting approximately 30 s during which the patient was sitting at a table, developed arm shaking, and then fell to the floor. She then had 2 more episodes of TLOC with jerking of her limbs, the second of which occurred during ambulation.
She denied any prodrome, including palpitations, chest pain, lightheadedness, nausea, or flushing, and any preceding aura, incontinence, tongue biting, or up-rolling of her eyes during events, although she did have confusion on awakening. Physical examination showed benign findings, including normal heart sounds and the absence of carotid bruit or recurrent symptoms with carotid massage or arm exercises.
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