Blackout and collapse in the acute setting

Blackout and collapse is a common acute medical presentation. Many patients are admitted to hospital unnecessarily and are not evaluated by following evidence-based guidelines. Unnecessary investigations or the wrong investigations are commonly requested. The initial evaluation is extremely important in the diagnosis of the cause of collapse, and must include an eyewitness account whenever possible. This chapter focuses on the initial evaluation and immediate management of syncope (transient global cerebral hypoperfusion), including who should be admitted to hospital, what tests to request and who should be referred to a specialist for further investigations.