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7/17/15, 21:00
AdamsStokes syndrome
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AdamsStokes syndrome
Classification and external resources
ICD-10
I45.9
(http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2015/en#/I45.9)
MeSH
D000219 (https://www.nlm.nih.gov/cgi/mesh/2015/MB_cgi?
William Stokes (18041877),[3] the
first description of the syndrome was
field=uid&term=D000219)
published in 1717 by the Carniolan
physician of Slovene descent Marko Gerbec, which was 44 years after its publication quoted by Giovanni
Battista Morgagni.
Contents
1 Signs and symptoms
2 Diagnosis
3 Causes
4 Treatment
5 Prognosis
6 References
Diagnosis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AdamsStokes_syndrome
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Stokes-Adams attacks may be diagnosed from the history, with paleness prior to the attack and flushing after it
particularly characteristic. The ECG will show asystole, an AV block, or ventricular fibrillation during the
attacks.
Causes
The attacks are caused by lack of cardiac output due to antimony poisoning, cardiac asystole, heart block, Lev's
disease or ventricular fibrillation. The resulting lack of blood flow to the brain is responsible for the faint.
Treatment
Initial treatment can be medical, involving the use of drugs like isoprenaline (Isuprel) and epinephrine
(adrenaline). Definitive treatment is surgical, involving the insertion of a pacemaker most likely one with
sequential pacing such as a DDI mode as opposed to the older VVI mechanisms,[4] and the doctor may arrange
the patient to undergo electrocardiography to confirm this type of treatment.[5]
Prognosis
If undiagnosed (or untreated), StokesAdams attacks have a 50% mortality within a year of the first episode.
The prognosis following treatment is very good.
References
1. synd/1158 (http://www.whonamedit.com/synd.cfm/1158.html) at Who Named It?
2. R. Adams. Cases of Diseases of the Heart, Accompanied with Pathological Observations. Dublin Hospital Reports,
1827, 4: 353453.
3. W. Stokes. Observations on some cases of permanently slow pulse. Dublin Quarterly Journal of Medical Science, 1846,
2: 7385.
4. Katz, Jason; Patel, Chetan (2006). Parkland Manual of Inpatient Medicine. Dallas, TX: FA Davis. p. 903.
5. Chart 63: "Faintness and Fainting", page 161, ISBN 0-86318-864-8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AdamsStokes_syndrome
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