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Glite Dictionary
Adams-Stokes syndrome

Adams-Stokes syndrome

7.2
The heart's electrical signals stop briefly and cause sudden repeated fainting
  • noun
  • /ˈædəmz stoʊks ˈsɪndroʊm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : síndrome de Adams-Stokes
  • The patient was diagnosed with Adams-Stokes syndrome after several unexplained fainting spells.

Examples

  • Sudden loss of consciousness during exertion may indicate Adams-Stokes syndrome.

  • Doctors may suggest a pacemaker for patients with Adams-Stokes syndrome to help regulate their heart rhythm.

  • Doctors monitored his heartbeat closely to detect episodes of Adams-Stokes syndrome.

  • The doctor diagnosed her with Adams-Stokes syndrome.

  • Patients suffering from Adams-Stokes syndrome may experience fainting spells.

  • The patient was diagnosed with Adams-Stokes syndrome after having several episodes of unconsciousness.

  • Sudden fainting during physical activity could be a symptom of Adams-Stokes syndrome.

Synonyms

Stokes-Adams syndrome
vsAdams-Stokes syndrome
  • Specialized
7.2

Sudden fainting caused by the heart's electrical signal stopping or slowing

has the same meaning but uses an alternative name order

Surface Forms

Adams-Stokes syndrome singular
Adams-Stokes syndromes plural

Morphology

Adams-Stokes + syndrome

The term is an eponymic medical name: 'Adams-Stokes' is a proper name (not semantically informative) and 'syndrome' only signals a set of symptoms. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would not be able to infer the specific cardiac rhythm interruption and sudden loss of consciousness that the term denotes, so prior specialized knowledge is required.

Etymology

Adams-Stokes syndrome is named after two doctors who saw patients suddenly 'faint' when the heart's rhythm stopped for a short time, so the name now means sudden, repeated attacks of unconsciousness caused by a temporary interruption of the heart's normal beat.