Introduction: objective was to evaluate the usefulness of the Syncope Unit (SU).
Methods: After complete clinical work-up and EKG, risk stratification was performed in the SU following this diagnostic algorithm Low risk (LR) patients were discharged. High risk (HR) patients were admitted. Intermediate risk (IR) patients were restratified in the SU: patients with cardiac devices were interrogated. Those with normal device function or without cardiac devices, echocardiogram was performed. If abnormal, patient may be admitted or sent to the chest pain unit. If the echocardiogram was normal, an immediate tilt test was performed: if positive patient was discharged, if negative a Holter monitor was connected before discharge.
Results: From September 2004 until November 2011, 377 patients were admitted to the SU. Initially, 9.2% were stratified as LR, 65.2% as IR and 25.4% as HR.
Conclusions: By using a predetermined diagnostic algorithm in a SU, risk stratification is feasible in all patients within a period of less than 12 hours, avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations.