Prospective Assessment of the Risk of Vasovagal Syncope During Driving

Abstract

The estimated risk of serious harm or death was <0.0035% per person-year in highly symptomatic patients, less than the risk of serious harm or death in the general population. (A Randomized Clinical Trial of Fludrocortisone for Vasovagal Syncope: The Second Prevention of Syncope Trial [POST II]; NCT00118482).

2017 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Patients With Syncope: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society

“…694 The 418 patients in POST I and POST II had a median of 3 vasovagal faints in 1 year but had no serious injuries or deaths and only 2 minor accidents in the subsequent year. 694 This provides an estimated yearly risk of serious injury and death in the V VS population of <0.0017%, less than the Risk of Harm formula predicted. 692 However, for patients with other etiologies of syncope or those in whom syncope occurred without prodrome or warning, the risk of causing harm may be higher than for patients with V VS. Public policies, laws, and regulations have not been adapted to these results, and providers caring for patients with syncope should be aware of pertinent local driving laws and restrictions.…”

“…693 The societally acceptable risk of injury and death due to motor vehicle accidents has been quantified from an analysis of accident data collected in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. 694 In the general population, the yearly risk of serious injury and death is 0.067%, or 1 in 1500. 694 The 418 patients in POST I and POST II had a median of 3 vasovagal faints in 1 year but had no serious injuries or deaths and only 2 minor accidents in the subsequent year.…”

“…694 In the general population, the yearly risk of serious injury and death is 0.067%, or 1 in 1500. 694 The 418 patients in POST I and POST II had a median of 3 vasovagal faints in 1 year but had no serious injuries or deaths and only 2 minor accidents in the subsequent year. 694 This provides an estimated yearly risk of serious injury and death in the V VS population of <0.0017%, less than the Risk of Harm formula predicted.…”

2017 ACC/AHA/HRS guideline for the evaluation and management of patients with syncope

“…693 The societally acceptable risk of injury and death due to motor vehicle accidents has been quantified from an analysis of accident data collected in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. 694 In the general population, the yearly risk of serious injury and death is 0.067%, or 1 in 1,500. 694 The 418 patients in POST I and POST II had a median of 3 vasovagal faints in 1 year but had no serious injuries or deaths and only 2 minor accidents in the subsequent year.…”

“…694 In the general population, the yearly risk of serious injury and death is 0.067%, or 1 in 1,500. 694 The 418 patients in POST I and POST II had a median of 3 vasovagal faints in 1 year but had no serious injuries or deaths and only 2 minor accidents in the subsequent year. 694 This provides an estimated yearly risk of serious injury and death in the VVS population of ,0.0017%, less than the Risk of Harm formula predicted.…”