Clinical findings may include:
(1) loss of consciousness
(2) jerking movements (tonic posturing)
(3) absence of drowsiness after the episode with relatively rapid recovery
The possibility of convulsive syncope should be considered for a patient with a diagnosis of epilepsy that:
(1) is resistant to anticonvulsant therapy
(2) does not show expected changes in EEG or other tests
(3) features of an episode not typical for a seizure disorder
The workup should initially focus on cardiac causes of syncope:
(1) an ECG
(2) a head-up tilt test
(3) monitoring durng carotid massage
Noncardiac conditions may also cause convulsive syncope. These may include vasculitis and vasovagal stimuli.
