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

Introduction. Sick sinus syndrome, a frequent cause of syncope, refers to a combination of symptoms caused by sinus node dysfunction. Case report. We report the case of a 38-year-old female patient presenting with recurrent syncope, who underwent surgical patch closure of atrial septal defect three years before admission. Ambulatory twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring was done capturing only sinus tachycardia. A series of examinations were warranted after admission, and recurrent syncope was found to be the result of sinus node dysfunction. This syndrome rarely occurs after surgical closure of atrial septal defect. The patient underwent permanent pacemaker implantation. Conclusion. A rigorous search for every possible cause of syncope is mandatory. A structural, multidisciplinary approach is required in order to achieve an optimal outcome. nema