Syncope due to sinus node dysfunction after surgical patch closure of atrial septal defect: A case report

Syncope is a sudden and brief loss of consciousness followed by spontaneous recovery. Syncope develops because of temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain with consecutive cerebral oxygen deprivation. Therefore, syncope is defined as a transient, self-limited loss of consciousness with an inability to maintain postural tone that is followed by spontaneous recovery. Various causes are well described in the literature and include cardiac, vascular, neurological, metabolic and miscellaneous origins [1]. Sometimes it is difficult to determine the real cause of syncope, so numerous analyses need to be performed. Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) refers to a combination of symptoms such as dizziness, confusion etc. (symptoms and signs of end-organ hypoperfusion) caused by sinus node dysfunction (SND). SND is a frequent cause of syncope, and in this case it was a result of cerebral hypoperfusion. We report here the case of a patient with history of syncope and dizziness. Three years before admission the patient underwent surgical repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) by pericardial patch closure of ASD. Recurrent syncope was a result of SSS and this syndrome rarely occurs after surgical patch closure of ASD.