Alcohol Syncope
Abstract Alcohol consumption may be linked to syncopal events. The mechanism by which alcohol may induce syncope is not well understood. Impairment of the response to orthostatic stress may be involved. A growing body of medical evidence suggests that short-term alcohol consumption elicits hypotension during orthostatic stress because of impairment of vasoconstriction. These findings have implications for understanding of hemodynamic effects of alcohol and, in particular, for understanding syncopal events that occur in association with alcohol intake. A 27-year-old African American female with a previous syncopal event following alcohol consumption was brought to the Emergency Department by ambulance after a witnessed syncopal episode. The patient admitted to drinking “a shot of vodka” 10 minutes prior to the syncopal event. Loss of consciousness was reported as lasting approximately 2 minutes, prompting family to call 911. Imaging studies and blood tests did not show any abnormalities. Patient was discharged home the next day after one night of observation in the medical unit. Since alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the greatest substance abuse problems in the United States today, it is of paramount importance to understand the pathophysiological basis and the implications of alcohol related syncope.
Introduction
Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness with an accompanying loss of postural tone.2 Although, by definition, it is followed by spontaneous recovery, in many instances it may be the only harbinger of sudden cardiac death. Syncope is a common disorder with many different etiologies, and can compromise the quality of life and lead to significant morbidity. It accounts for 1-6 percent of hospital admissions annually and the cost of diagnosis and treatment of patients with syncope reaches 800 million dollars.4 The incidence of alcohol-related syncope varies across different subpopulations studied. In
Introduction
Syncope is defined as a transient loss of consciousness with an accompanying loss of postural tone.2 Although, by definition, it is followed by spontaneous recovery, in many instances it may be the only harbinger of sudden cardiac death. Syncope is a common disorder with many different etiologies, and can compromise the quality of life and lead to significant morbidity. It accounts for 1-6 percent of hospital admissions annually and the cost of diagnosis and treatment of patients with syncope reaches 800 million dollars.4 The incidence of alcohol-related syncope varies across different subpopulations studied. In
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