Stokes-Adams syndrome, a rarely reported disease.

Abstract

Stokes-Adams syndrome is defined as a transient loss of consciousness with spontaneous recovery after a decrease in cardiac output that leads to a state of cerebral hypoxia and may cause seizures. It is a rare and poorly documented condition. High-degree atrioventricular block, paroxysmal ventricular arrest, and pulseless ventricular tachycardia have been described as causes, and depending on the case, temporary or permanent pacemaker implantation or cardiac defibrillation may be necessary. We present the case of a 78-year-old male patient with Stokes-Adams syndrome secondary to 2:1 atrioventricular block requiring definitive pacemaker implantation without recurrence of syncopal or convulsive episodes. It is important to consider Stokes-Adams syndrome as a possible cause of syncope or seizures and that the recognition of this disease through an adequate clinical history and interpretation of paraclinical tests can save lives due to the risk of sudden death. There is not much information about this syndrome, since there are few cases reported in the literature.