recurrent syncope episodes

[chesneyfan]

My husband has been having fainting episodes for over 6 months.  His symptoms only include losing consciousness-no nausea, dizziness, etc. He has been injured several times due to hitting his head on various objects to the point of receiving stitches for some of them!  He's had every test that we know of (& his dr.) & nothing shows up. He has worn a heart monitor, had tilt table test, echos & ultrasound of arteries in neck, just to name a few & still nothing.  It's very frustrating, not to mention scary.  I found him passed out one time & he had hit his head on the bed post & was bleeding so bad he was lying facedown in a pool of blood.  Does anyone have any insight as to what may be going on?!

[Heiferly]

If an EP Study (stands for electrophysiology study ... I think the "s" in the above comments that say "eps study" may be typos?) isn't possible or if it doesn't provide any answers, you may want to consider an implantable loop recorder (ILR) as a next step.  These are heart monitors that are actually implanted under the skin and remain in place for as long as 2 (for some models maybe 2.5) years and can provide valuable information leading to the diagnosis of the cause of syncope episodes.  The implantation and explantation are simple outpatient surgeries that can usually be performed under light sedation (full anesthesia is not necessary); I have personally had two loop recorders (don't ask why I got a second one after my first, hahaha) and I have no complaints really!

Here's some more information on ILRs:

http://www.vanderbilthealth.com/heart/10986

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/504482

http://www.medtronic.com/for-healthcare-professionals/products-therapies/cardiac-rhythm/cardiac-monitors-insert/reveal-dx-and-reveal-xt-insertable-cardiac-monitors-icms/index.htm#tab1

Thanks for the update, and please continue to keep us informed on how things are going.  We'll be keeping you both in our thoughts!!
-heiferly.

[chesneyfan]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their responses and give an update. MRI came out good-didnt show anything was wrong-we are currently checking into eps study & are hoping this will help find out what's causing these fainting spells

[Biotronik]

Hi, I had exact sym0tons for four years.
Numerous doctors just said it was Syncope. All test were normal.
A Dr here in Phoenix did an ESP study and decided to implant s permanent heart monitor. Seven months later I have just received a pace maker for sick sinus syndrome.
Low heart rate of 35-45 and low blood pressure.
They implanted a Biotronik Evia DT dual chamber pacemaker.
Don't mistake a Cardiologist with an Electrophysiologist.
They are very different. My physical heart muscle wad excellent so Cardiologist dismissed me.
Only an Electrophysiologist can do an EPS test and confirm if this might be the cause.
It's a good next step to get to the bottom of this.  I found that the pacemaker is actually
running 80% of my hearts function and I am a fit looking 45 year old woman! Let me know how it unfolds. God Bless!

[Tine77]

have him get am epStudy done. it checjs the electricalimpulses in his heart sounds exactly likerwhat has been happening to me. do not delay. trust me. please. let me know how it goes ***@****

[LivingInHope]

This must indeed be very scary for you guys!  His electrolyte balance and iron levels are fine?  He's had brain scanning?  My grandpa passed out before and it turned out he had a  brain tumor, likely a meningioma.  See PM for a host of possible causes for fainting.