Home › Clinical Tools › SF Syncope

🫀 San Francisco Syncope Rule

UsePredict serious 7-day outcomes after syncope.

Loading calculator…

SourceQuinn JV, et al. Ann Emerg Med 2004

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

Paste the link in Slack, Teams, X, or LinkedIn — the preview image comes from this page’s Open Graph card.

Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

Any positive factor flags higher risk.

When to use

Predict serious 7-day outcomes after syncope.

How it works

Any of CHF history, Haematocrit < 30%, abnormal ECG, Shortness of breath, SBP < 90 mmHg → high risk.

Key points

  • Any positive factor flags higher risk.
  • Sensitive but limited specificity.
  • Use with clinical judgement and other risk tools.

References

Worked calculation

The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.

History of congestive heart failureNo
Haematocrit < 30%No
Abnormal ECG (new changes / non-sinus)No
Shortness of breathNo
Systolic BP < 90 mmHg at triageNo

→Low riskNo CHESS factor

  • CHESS:CHF, Haematocrit < 30%, ECG abnormal, Shortness of breath, SBP < 90.
  • Note:Low risk of serious 7-day outcome.
History of congestive heart failureYes
Haematocrit < 30%Yes
Abnormal ECG (new changes / non-sinus)Yes
Shortness of breathYes
Systolic BP < 90 mmHg at triageYes

→High risk≥ 1 CHESS factor

  • CHESS:CHF, Haematocrit < 30%, ECG abnormal, Shortness of breath, SBP < 90.
  • Note:Consider admission/further evaluation.
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the limits and cautions when using San Francisco Syncope Rule?
For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
Does San Francisco Syncope Rule upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
How is San Francisco Syncope Rule calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: History of congestive heart failure No, Haematocrit < 30% No, Abnormal ECG (new changes / non-sinus) No, Shortness of breath No, Systolic BP < 90 mmHg at triage No → Result: Low risk No CHESS factor(CHESS: CHF, Haematocrit < 30%, ECG abnormal, Shortness of breath, SBP < 90., Note: Low risk of serious 7-day outcome.) Inputs: History of congestive heart failure Yes, Haematocrit < 30% Yes, Abnormal ECG (new changes / non-sinus) Yes, Shortness of breath Yes, Systolic BP < 90 mmHg at triage Yes → Result: High risk ≥ 1 CHESS factor(CHESS: CHF, Haematocrit < 30%, ECG abnormal, Shortness of breath, SBP < 90., Note: Consider admission/further evaluation.)
Related tools