[The use of an implantable ECG recorder in the diagnosis of puzzling sporadic syncopes].

A 70-year-old man had passed out three times in six years, and was suspected of having a rhythm or conduction disturbance. Repeated hospitalization with telemetric monitoring had not revealed any disease. An implantable ECG recorder finally revealed the occurrence of symptomatic sinus arrest (Adams-Stokes attack), a month after discharge from the hospital. The patient was treated with a pacemaker. The cause of recurrent syncope can be difficult to diagnose. There is always a danger of overdiagnosis or under-treatment. Prospective study and cost effectiveness analysis are needed to determine the proper place of the implantable ECG recorder in the diagnosis of this disease.