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. 2003 Apr;88(4):350–353. doi: 10.1136/adc.88.4.350

Syncope in childhood

K McLeod 1
PMCID: PMC1719534  PMID: 12651770

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Figure 1.

Figure 1

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(A) ECG recording from a 2 year old child during a reflex anoxic seizure. Each strip corresponds to 30 seconds of recording. The rhythm is initially sinus tachycardia corresponding to the child running. Following a bump to the elbow, the heart slows considerably to a period of asystole, lasting approximately 16 seconds. The arrow shows the point at whicih the monitor was activated—within seconds of the onset of ECG changes. (B) ECG recording from an 8 month old child in whom syncope was induced by smothering. Each strip corresponds to 30 seconds of recording. The parent was asked to activate the monitor at the onset of symptoms. The arrow shows the point at which the monitor was activated, but it is evident that ECG changes of significant bradycardia are present well before the monitor is activated.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Cardiac event monitoring allows the recording of an ECG during symptoms. Non-invasive monitors such as the King of Hearts can be worn for weeks or even months at a time. The implantable Reveal monitor (Medtronic Inc.) is useful where monitoring is required for a prolonged period of time or where compliance is poor. It is easily implanted in a small subcutaneous pocket and allows monitoring for up to 14 months.

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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