Stokes-Adams syndrome

noun

Stokes-Ad·​ams syndrome ˌstōks-ˈad-əmz- 

variants or Stokes-Adams attack or Stokes-Adams disease

: fainting induced by complete heart block with a pulse rate of 40 beats per minute or less

Note: Fainting episodes are typically recurrent and marked by fairly quick recovery. Loss of consciousness in Stokes-Adams syndrome results from reduced blood flow and is sometimes accompanied by seizures.

Patients with intermittent third-degree AV [atrioventricular] block often experience syncopal episodes, called the Stokes-Adams syndrome …

—Arnold M. Katz, Physiology of the Heart, 4th edition

This problem led to potentially fatal fainting spells, known as Stokes-Adams attacks.

—Lawrence K. Altman, The New York Times

called also Adams-Stokes attack, Adams-Stokes disease, Adams-Stokes syndrome