Vasovagal Syncope at Work: A Narrative Review for an Occupational Management Proposal

Anna Rita Corvino, Vincenzo Russo, Maria Grazia Lourdes Monaco (), Elpidio Maria Garzillo (), Daniele Guida, Angelo Comune, Erika Parente, Monica Lamberti and Nadia Miraglia
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Anna Rita Corvino: Experimental Medicine Department-Hygiene, Occupational, and Forensic Medicine Division-Occupational Forensic Area, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Vincenzo Russo: Department of Medical Translational Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”—Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy
Maria Grazia Lourdes Monaco: Occupational Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
Elpidio Maria Garzillo: Department of Prevention, Abruzzo Local Health Unit No. 1, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Daniele Guida: Experimental Medicine Department-Hygiene, Occupational, and Forensic Medicine Division-Occupational Forensic Area, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Angelo Comune: Department of Medical Translational Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”—Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy
Erika Parente: Department of Medical Translational Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”—Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy
Monica Lamberti: Experimental Medicine Department-Hygiene, Occupational, and Forensic Medicine Division-Occupational Forensic Area, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
Nadia Miraglia: Experimental Medicine Department-Hygiene, Occupational, and Forensic Medicine Division-Occupational Forensic Area, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: Syncope is a complex clinical manifestation that presents considerable diagnostic difficulties and, consequently, numerous critical issues regarding fitness for work, especially for high-risk tasks. To date, it is impossible to quantify the exact impact of syncope on work and public safety since it is highly improbable to identify loss of consciousness as the fundamental cause of work or driving-related accidents, especially fatal injuries. Working at high-risk jobs such as public transport operators, in high elevations, or with exposure to moving parts, construction equipment, fireworks, or explosives demand attention and total awareness. Currently, no validated criteria or indicators are available for occupational risk stratification of a patient with reflex syncope to return to work. By drawing inspiration from the updated literature, this narrative review intends to summarise the leading knowledge required regarding the return to work for subjects affected by syncope. According to the available data, the authors highlighted some key findings, summarised in macro-items, such as defined risk stratification for vasovagal accidents, return to work after a critical event, and a focus on pacemaker (PM) implementation. Lastly, the authors proposed a flowchart for occupational physicians to help them manage the cases of workers affected by syncope and exposed to levels of risk that could represent a danger to the workers’ health.

Keywords: vasovagal syncope; worker management; occupational safety risk; return to work (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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