Resumo

PEREZ, Gerardo  e  ALONSO BAO, Juan. How to proceed when the patient seeks care because of palpitations. Arch. Med Int [online]. 2014, vol.36, n. 2, pp.68-74. ISSN 0250-3816.

Palpitations give account of 16% of total complaints in the emergency services. Despite its high frequency, clinical and paraclinical diagnosis process is often ineffective and frustrating for both doctor and patient. Palpitations are due to benign underlying pathological conditions most of the time, however sometimes, may be the manifestation of life threatening health problems (sudden cardiac death). Initial evaluation of patients with palpitations seeks to estimate the likelihood that a malignant arrhythmia is the cause of the palpitations and thus lead to adequate patient diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The aim of this review is to present a rational clinical approach to the patient with palpitations in order to select appropriate laboratory tests and consultations with specialists when situation warrant it.

Palavras-chave : Palpitations; Sudden cardiac death; ECG loop recorder.