Nadeem AUR, Matthew S, Molnar J, Chaudhary SA, Al-Khafaji K, Jahangir TR, Nadeem R, Mirza M and Shafer E
Background: The etiology of syncope in young adults is poorly defined and most studies reveal benign etiologies. However, case reports suggest that exercise-related syncope, even in young patients, can be a harbinger of sudden cardiac death. We aim to determine the characteristics of young adults presenting with syncope in a diverse population of navy recruits.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all Navy recruits who presented with a complaint of syncope to the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (JALFHCC) between June 1, 2006 and May 31, 2013. There was a total of 154 charts. Demographics and clinical data, along with Electrocardiogram (EKG), telemetry, and echocardiographic findings were recorded. Variables were compared between the subjects with abnormal cardiac profile and subjects with normal cardiac results.
Results: The sample size of 154 included 95 males and 59 females. There were 13 (8.4%) subjects who were found to have concerned cardiac findings; 9 were males (9.5% of males) and 4 were females (6.8% of females). Compared to those without cardiac findings, there were no significant differences in age (20.2 ± 3.8 vs. 20.2 ± 2.5 years), body mass index (25.8 ± 2.8 vs. 24.7 ± 3.5), prior history of syncope (23 vs. 21%), or presence of exertional syncope (77 vs. 63%).
Conclusion: A significant proportion of young American navy recruits have evidence of concerning electro and echocardiographic findings. We did not find any clinical profile predicting such findings although there was a statistically insignificant, but noticeable trend towards exertional syncope in those who had concerning cardiac abnormalities.
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