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High-risk features and predictors of unexplained syncope in the young SCD-SOS cohort
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  • Mafalda Carrington,
  • João Pais,
  • Diogo Brás,
  • Antonio Creta,
  • Rogério Teixeira,
  • Lino Gonçalves,
  • Rui Providência
Mafalda Carrington
Hospital do Espírito Santo EPE

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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João Pais
Hospital do Espírito Santo EPE
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Diogo Brás
Hospital do Espírito Santo EPE
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Antonio Creta
Barts Health NHS Trust
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Rogério Teixeira
Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE
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Lino Gonçalves
Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra EPE
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Rui Providência
Barts Health NHS Trust
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Abstract

Introduction: The Sudden Cardiac Death-Screening of Risk FactOrS survey included a 12-lead ECG plus a digital-based questionnaire and aimed to screen for warning signs of diseases that may course with sudden cardiac death in children and young-adults. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of unexplained syncope (US) and characterize its high-risk features and predictors in this cohort. Methods and results: We determined the most probable etiology of the transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) episodes based on clinical criteria. US was an exclusion diagnosis and we analyzed its potential clinical and ECG predictors. Among 11,878 individuals, with a mean age of 21±6 (range 6-40) years-old, the cumulative incidence of TLOC was 26.5%, 76.2% corresponding to females. Reflex syncope was present in 61.0%, orthostatic hypotension in 7.9% and 12.6% of the individuals had US. Unexplained syncope was independently associated with age < 18 years-old (OR1.72; 95%CI 1.27-2.32,p<0.001), male gender (OR1.650; 95%CI 1.22-2.23,p=0.001), participation in competitive sports (OR1.64;95%CI 1.01-2.66,p=0.044), major syncope high-risk features (OR 2.61;95%CI 1.96-3.47,p<0.001), syncope after exertion (OR2.77;95%CI 1.80-4.27,p<0.001), fever context (OR9.58;95%CI 4.12-22.30,p<0.001), lower number of previous syncopal episodes (OR0.36;95%CI 0.37-0.48,p<0.001) and history of palpitations requiring medical care (OR1.98;95%CI 1.16-3.38,p=0.012). We found no ECG predictors of US in this population. Conclusions: The cumulative incidence of TLOC in children and young-adults is high and remains unexplained in an important proportion of individuals. We identified eight clinical characteristics that may be useful for the risk stratification of individuals evaluated in a non-acute setting.
21 Oct 2020Submitted to Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
06 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
06 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
11 Nov 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
08 May 20211st Revision Received
31 May 2021Submission Checks Completed
31 May 2021Assigned to Editor
31 May 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Jun 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jun 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
15 Jun 20212nd Revision Received
24 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
24 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
24 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
Oct 2021Published in Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology volume 32 issue 10 on pages 2737-2745. 10.1111/jce.15204