CNF #2

In 2014 the Cochrane Neurological Sciences Field (CNF) searched the list of recommendations published in Choosing Wisely for those of interest from a neurological point of view, dealing with transient loss of consciousness. Two recommendations have been included in the present list (number 4 adapted from the American Academy of Neurology and number 5 adapted from the American College of Physicians) but the term transient loss of consciousness has been preferred to the original syncope because the first means the symptom to be evaluated and the second the conclusion of a diagnostic process. Transient loss of consciousness is intended as in NICE 2010: “transient loss of consciousness is the medical term for a blackout and can be defined as spontaneous loss of consciousness with complete recovery (full recovery of consciousness without any residual neurological deficit)”. Other three recommendations in this list are original, identified in the Italian medical practice (1, 2 and 3) and discussed in the CNF with the contribution of other clinicians on the behalf of AINAT, Italian Association of Out-Patient Department Neurologists. All recommendations were updated in 2021.