A rare cause of syncope: cough.

BACKGROUND

Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness, associated with loss of postural tone, with spontaneous return to baseline neurologic function. Syncope is a common complaint in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE

Cough syncope occurs immediately after coughing. Cough syncope rapidly recovers in 1-2 second. Although cough syncope has been classified in vasovagal syncope, it may differ from pathogenetic mechanism. Physicians should be aware of this easily recognizable cough induced syncope.

METHODS

We present a 59-year-old obese man was referred for clinical evaluation because of recurrent syncope without seizures following coughing who developed cough syncope.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians should be aware of this easily recognizable cough induced syncope in all subjects admitted with syncope and should screen possible underlying sources of cough.