Paediatric Syncope in the Emergency Department

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age6-18
SponsorDr. Victoria Claydon

About this trial

The investigators will assess the efficacy of clinically recommended counterpressure maneuvers (CPM) in preventing syncope for paediatric patients. Participants presenting to the emergency department (ED) will first provide written informed consent. In stage I, they will be asked to complete a brief survey documenting the presentation of their syncopal episode, and any prodromal symptoms they experienced. Participants that consent to the second stage of the study will either receive usual care (control arm) or training in counter pressure maneuvers alongside usual care (intervention arm; leg crossing, bending, arm tensing). These patients will be followed for one years time, and will be asked to complete monthly surveys detailing their syncopal and presyncopal recurrence. Medical records will be accessed over the duration of the study to identify any changes in medical diagnosis.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Those between the ages of 6-18 years (inclusive)

Presenting to the ED daily 1000-2200 with resolved transient loss of consciousness that has occurred within the last week

Able to complete the survey in English

Willing and able to provide consent and assent

Disqualifiers

Suspected or confirmed cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White, long QT)

Traumatic head injury

New presentation of seizure disorder

Epilepsy recurrence

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Counterpressure Maneuvers
  • Usual Care

Treatment groups

300 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators

Dr. Victoria Claydon

Lead sponsor

Simon Fraser University

Sponsor institution

Provincial Health Services Authority British Columbia

Collaborator

University of British Columbia

Collaborator

Simon Fraser University

Collaborator