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Paediatric Syncope in the Emergency Department

Orthostatic Intolerance | Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome | Syncope, Vasovagal

The investigators will assess the efficacy of clinically recommended counterpressure maneuvers (CPM) in preventing syncope for paediatric patients. Participants presenting to the emergency department (ED) will first provide written informed consent. In stage I, they will be asked to complete a brief survey documenting the presentation of their syncopal episode, and any prodromal symptoms they experienced. Participants that consent to the second stage of the study will either receive usual care (control arm) or training in counter pressure maneuvers alongside usual care (intervention arm; leg crossing, bending, arm tensing). These patients will be followed for one years time, and will be asked to complete monthly surveys detailing their syncopal and presyncopal recurrence. Medical records will be accessed over the duration of the study to identify any changes in medical diagnosis.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL

  • Eligible Ages:

    6 to 18

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Those between the ages of 6-18 years (inclusive)
2. Presenting to the ED daily 1000-2200 with resolved transient loss of consciousness that has occurred within the last week
3. Able to complete the survey in English
4. Willing and able to provide consent and assent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Those with a known history of any of the following:

* Suspected or confirmed cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White, long QT)
* Traumatic head injury
* New presentation of seizure disorder
* Epilepsy recurrence
* Overdose, intoxication
* Structural heart disease
2. Patients with hypoglycaemia and who are psychogenic with vasovagal syncope who do not present with prodromal symptoms
3. Previously enrolled in this study

Study Location

BC Children's Hospital
BC Children's Hospital
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Contact Study Team

Primary Contact

Sonia Franciosi, PhD

[email protected]
(604) 875-2345
Study Sponsored By
Simon Fraser University
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT05555771