Ján Šípka, Martin Škamla
Among all types of syncopes the cardiac syncope is associated with the worst prognosis. It is mostly caused by arrhythmias
or other conditions with impaired ability of the heart to increase its output. Prognostic stratification is very important
in patients with syncope. It is usually based on the patient’s history, ECG and echocardiography. The presence
of structural heart disease is the strongest predictor of mortality. Patients with syncope and present structural heart
disease should undergo the risk stratification. The implantation of ICD in high risk patients is reasonable. ICD is highly
effective in treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. The goal of ICD therapy is the sudden cardiac death risk reduction
and all-cause mortality reduction can be expected as well.