In order to assess the diagnostic value of invasive electrophysiologic study (EPS) in the patients with unexplained syncope, the electrophysiologic findings of 268 patients with unexplained syncope despite a complete clinical evaluation were analyzed. Results showed positive EPS finding was 38% in total patients and 50% in the patients aged > 70 years. With increasing age, the diagnostic yield of EPS also increased. No significant differences of complication rate were found among the different age groups. It was concluded that EPS have high diagnostic value in the patients with unexplained syncope. Its complications are few and mild. EPS may be recommended in elderly patients with unexplained syncope.
Age Factors ; Arrhythmia/complications ; Arrhythmia/*diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; *Electrocardiography ; Electrophysiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Retrospective Studies ; Syncope/diagnosis ; Syncope/*etiology ; Tachycardia/complications ; Tachycardia/diagnosis

In order to assess the diagnostic value of invasive electrophysiologic study (EPS) in the patients with unexplained syncope, the electrophysiologic findings of 268 patients with unexplained syncope despite a complete clinical evaluation were analyzed. Results showed positive EPS finding was 38% in total patients and 50% in the patients aged > 70 years. With increasing age, the diagnostic yield of EPS also increased. No significant differences of complication rate were found among the different age groups. It was concluded that EPS have high diagnostic value in the patients with unexplained syncope. Its complications are few and mild. EPS may be recommended in elderly patients with unexplained syncope.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; complications ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Electrocardiography ; Electrophysiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Retrospective Studies ; Syncope ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Tachycardia ; complications ; diagnosis