An Adams-Stokes attack is an episode of syncope caused by severe bradycardia or heart block. It involves a rapid loss of consciousness where the person may fall down, followed by a rapid recovery. Prolonged periods of asystole or bradycardia over 10 seconds could lead to convulsions or death. The skin initially turns pale but later flushes as the heart rate increases again.

1. ‫الرحیم‬ ‫الرحمن‬ ‫هللا‬ ‫بسم‬

2. Adams-Stokes Attacks
Clinical Features

3. Adams-Stokes Attacks
 An episode of syncope caused by bradycardia related to AV
block is called Stokes-Adams-Morgagni syndrome. These
commonly occur due to an underlying Mobitz type II block or
complete heart block in distal conduction system. Even
though VT can also produce loss of consciousness, it is not
typically included under Adams-Stokes attack.

4. Clinical features
 Rapid loss of consciousness and the patient may fall,
followed by rapid recovery.
 Convulsions and later death may result if the asystole or
severe bradycardia is prolonged to more than 10 seconds.
 The color of the skin is pale initially and a characteristic flush
appears later when the heart starts beating. In prolonged
bradycardia, pallor may give way to cyanosis.