Table 2.
Additional patient characteristics of included (pre)syncope patients
| Arrival by ambulance, n (%) | 71 (71.0) |
| Cardiovascular history, n (%) | 54 (53.5) |
| • Hypertension | 40 (39.6) |
| • Myocardial infarction | 14 (13.9) |
| • Heart failure | 4 (4.0) |
| • Rhythm disorders (AF, VT) | 15 (14.9) |
| • Pacemaker/ICD | 5 (5.0) |
| • Peripheral vascular disease | 9 (8.9) |
| • Thrombosis | 8 (7.9) |
| Parkinson’s disease | 3 (3.0) |
| Diabetes mellitus | 12 (11.9) |
| History of syncope | 63 (62.4) |
| Antihypertensive medication, n (%) | 46 (45.5) |
| • B-blocker | 25 (24.8) |
| • ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II blocker | 31 (30.7) |
| • Calcium antagonist | 9 (8.9) |
| • Diuretics | 21 (20.8) |
| • ≥2 antihypertensive drugs | 29 (28.7) |
| Antidepressants | 8 (7.9) |
| Polypharmacy (≥5) | 40 (39.6) |
| ECG performed | 101 (100.0) |
| Orthostatic BP test performed by initial treating physicians | 40 (39.6) |
| Additional tests performed in the ED, n (%) | |
| • Laboratory tests | 97 (96.0) |
| • Chest x-ray | 18 (17.8) |
| • Computed tomography (head or chest) | 14 (13.8) |
| Consultation of another specialist in the ED, n (%) | 33 (32.7) |
| • One specialist | 27 (26.7) |
| • Two specialists | 6 (5.9) |
| Department of admission, n (%) | |
| • Cardiology | 5 (31.2) |
| • Internal Medicine | 10 (62.5) |
| • Neurology | 1 (6.3) |
| Median number of days hospitalised (range) | 3.13 (1-13) |
AF atrial fibrillation, BP blood pressure, ED Emergency Department, ICD implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, VT ventricular tachycardia