Stokes-Adams syndrome is defined by which of the following features?

• A. Angina due to coronary spasm
• B. Series of symptoms from heart block; fainting; asystole lasting 5-20 seconds
• C. Atrial fibrillation without block
• D. Hypertensive crisis

Answer: (B)

Stokes-Adams syndrome is defined by episodes of syncope caused by transient heart block with a brief pause in ventricular activity. When a complete heart block or high-grade AV block occurs, the ventricles momentarily stop beating, cutting off blood flow to the brain and producing fainting. Those pauses typically last about 5 to 20 seconds, sometimes with brief periods of asystole. This pattern explains the sudden fainting spells described. The other options reflect different problems—angina from coronary spasm is a chest pain condition due to vasospasm, atrial fibrillation without block wouldn’t cause these pauses, and a hypertensive crisis involves dangerously high blood pressure rather than block-induced syncope.