Validation of the San Francisco Syncope Rule
Validation of the San Francisco Syncope Rule
This study was designed to validate the "San Francisco Syncope Rule". This set of rules was
 derived by Quinn et. al. to help guide the treatment of patients evaluated in the Emergency
 Department who had an episode of syncope (passed out) or near syncope (almost passed out). A
 rule that considers patients with an abnormal ECG, a complaint of shortness of breath,
 hematocrit less than 30%, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, or a history of
 congestive heart failure was shown predict with a good degree of accuracy which patients
 would have an adverse event and require admission.
This study was designed to validate the "San Francisco Syncope Rule". This set of rules was
 derived by Quinn et. al. to help guide the treatment of patients evaluated in the Emergency
 Department who had an episode of syncope or near syncope.

 A rule that considers patients with an abnormal ECG, a complaint of shortness of breath,
 hematocrit less than 30%, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, or a history of
 congestive heart failure was shown predict with a good degree of accuracy which patients
 would have an adverse event/serious outcome and require admission. Serious outcomes include
 the following: death,myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, stroke,
 subarachnoid hemorrhage, significant hemorrhage, or any condition causing a return ED visit
 and hospitalization for a related event.

 In Quinn's derivation trial, the sensitivity of the rule was 96%.
Inclusion Criteria: Acute syncope or near syncope as a reason for the ED visit

 Exclusion Criteria: Altered mental status, alcohol or illicit drug-related loss of
 consciousness, Definite seizure, Transient loss of consciousness caused by head trauma