SyncopeNCT01548352
BAsel Syncope EvaLuation (BASEL IX) Study
An observational study of Syncope, run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland at 15 sites in 9 countries.
Trial summary
Syncope is a major health problem. In the emergency department (ED), the management of patients with syncope still remains a clinical challenge because underlying diseases and prognosis can be extremely various. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Syncope
- How many people
- 3,500 participants
- Where
- 15 sitesin 9 countries
- Study dates
- Apr 2010to Dec 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 40 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Patients presenting to the emergency department with syncope within the last 12 hours.
Who may be able to join
- Patients presenting to the emergency department
- Age > 40 years
- Syncope within the last 12 hours
- Written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Age < 40 years
- Patients without loss of consciousness and with certain neurological causes (e.g. recurrent epilepsy, hemiplegia at presentation)
- No written informed consent
Trial locations and contacts
15 sites in 9 countries.
15 sites in 9 countries
Switzerland5 sites
University Hospital Basel
Basel, 4031
Spital Lachen
Lachen, Canton of Schwyz, 8853
Kantonsspital Baselland
Liestal, Basel-Landschaft, 4410
Luzern Kantonsspital
Lucerne, 6000
University Hospital Zurich
Zurich, 8091
Spain3 sites
Hospital del Mar
Barcelona, 08003
Hospital Clinic of Barcelona
Barcelona, 08036
Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos
Madrid, 28040
Argentina1 site
Instituto Cardiovascular de Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, C1428
About this study
Syncope is a major health problem. In the emergency department (ED), the management of patients with syncope still remains a clinical challenge because underlying diseases and prognosis can be extremely various. Structural heart disease and primary electrical disorders are major risk factors for sudden cardiac death and mortality in patients with syncope. In contrast, patients with reflex syncope and exclusion of structural heart disease have an excellent prognosis.
Therefore The investigators test the hypothesis that the use of a meticulous patient history, clinical examination and novel biomarkers can improve the rapid and accurate diagnosis of cardiac syncope in patients presenting to the ED and is able to improve risk stratification regarding adverse outcomes.
Read more
The prospective multicenter cohort study is designed to enroll 720 patients presenting with transient loss of consciousness within the last 12 hours to the ED. Blood samples for the measurement of novel biomarkers will be obtained at presentation.
All patients will be contacted by phone at 6, 12 and 24 months to determine major adverse events (death, resuscitation, recurrence of syncope, hospitalization for syncope).
Read the detailed description
Background: Management of patients with syncope is a serious problem concerning 1-2% of emergency department (ED) visits. In 6-20% of these, syncope will be due to a cardiac origin. The rapid and accurate identification of these patients is an important unmet clinical need.
Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of patient's history, clinical judgement and novel biomarkers, alone or in combination, in the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients > 40 years of age presenting with syncope to the ED.
Patients and Methods: This prospective, observational, international multicenter study is initially designed to enroll 720 adult patients > 40 years presenting to the ED with syncope within the last twelve hours. Patient history will be standardized using a predefined form. Treating physicians will be asked to quantify their clinical judgment regarding the presence of cardiac syncope. Digital 12-lead ECG will be recorded at presentation and stored electronically. Blood samples for the measurement of novel cardiovascular biomarkers (including copeptin, pro-endothelin-1, pro-adrenomedullin, natriuretic peptides and high-sensitive cardiac troponins) will be obtained at presentation and stored anonymized. Patients will be contacted by phone at 6, 12 and 24 months to determine major adverse events (death, resuscitation, recurrence of syncope, hospitalization for syncope) and results of follow-up examinations. The final diagnosis will be adjudicated by two independent experts after review of all documents pertaining to the individual patient after 6 months. The primary endpoint is to assess the performance of a standardized form of patient's history, clinical judgment and biomarkers, alone and in combination, in the diagnosis of a cardiac syncope, as adjudicated by two independent experts. Secondary endpoints include the accuracy of the above cited items in prognostic stratification and the determination of the cost-effectiveness of the best approach.
Clinical significance: A more accurate and more rapid diagnosis and risk stratification of cardiac syncope can significantly improve patient management and therefore reduce patient morbidity and treatment cost. Overall, we expect this study to provide novel insights, holding important scientific, clinical and economic implications.
- Conditions
- Syncope
- Keywords
- Syncope, Unconsciousness, Syncope, vasovagal, neurally-mediated, Syncope, cardiogenic, Cardiac arrhythmia, Sudden cardiac death, Syncopal episode
- Medical subject headings
- Syncope, Unconsciousness, Syncope, Vasovagal, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Death, Sudden, Cardiac
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of various novel and established biomarkers, clinical assessment and detailed patient history
To test the diagnostic performance of predefined elements of a standardized patient history, overall clinical judgement using a visual analogue scale, and novel biomarkers in the diagnosis of cardiac syncope in patients presenting to the ED.
Measured: within 24 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Mar 2012 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2010
- Primary completionDec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for SyncopeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 3,500 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Swiss National Science Foundation
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Christian Mueller, MD, Principal investigator, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01548352
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BASEL IX
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 5 Mar 2012
- Last updated
- 15 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Publications
Zimmermann T, du Fay de Lavallaz J, Walter JE, Strebel I, Nestelberger T, Joray L, Badertscher P, Flores D, Widmer V, Geigy N, Miro O, Salgado E, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Keller D, Costabel JP, Wussler DN, Kawecki D, Lohrmann J, Gualandro DM, Kuehne M, Reichlin T, Sun B, Mueller C; BASEL IX and SRS Investigators. Development of an electrocardiogram-based risk calculator for a cardiac cause of syncope. Heart. 2021 Nov;107(22):1796-1804. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2020-318430. Epub 2021 Jan 27.
PubMed 33504514Zimmermann T, du Fay de Lavallaz J, Nestelberger T, Gualandro DM, Strebel I, Badertscher P, Lopez-Ayala P, Widmer V, Freese M, Miro O, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Keller DI, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Wussler D, Koechlin L, Walter JE, Burgler F, Geigy N, Kuhne M, Reichlin T, Lohrmann J, Mueller C. Incidence, characteristics, determinants, and prognostic impact of recurrent syncope. Europace. 2020 Dec 23;22(12):1885-1895. doi: 10.1093/europace/euaa227.
PubMed 33038231Badertscher P, du Fay de Lavallaz J, Hammerer-Lercher A, Nestelberger T, Zimmermann T, Geiger M, Imahorn O, Miro O, Salgado E, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Keller DI, Costabel JP, Walter J, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Mendez A, Gospodinov B, Puelacher C, Wussler D, Koechlin L, Kawecki D, Geigy N, Strebel I, Lohrmann J, Kuhne M, Reichlin T, Mueller C; BASEL IX Investigators. Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients With Syncope. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Aug 13;74(6):744-754. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.06.020.
PubMed 31395124du Fay de Lavallaz J, Badertscher P, Nestelberger T, Zimmermann T, Miro O, Salgado E, Christ M, Geigy N, Cullen L, Than M, Javier Martin-Sanchez F, Di Somma S, Frank Peacock W, Morawiec B, Walter J, Twerenbold R, Puelacher C, Wussler D, Boeddinghaus J, Koechlin L, Strebel I, Keller DI, Lohrmann J, Michou E, Kuhne M, Reichlin T, Mueller C; BASEL IX Investigators. B-Type Natriuretic Peptides and Cardiac Troponins for Diagnosis and Risk-Stratification of Syncope. Circulation. 2019 May 21;139(21):2403-2418. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038358. Epub 2019 Feb 25.
PubMed 30798615du Fay de Lavallaz J, Badertscher P, Nestelberger T, Isenrich R, Miro O, Salgado E, Geigy N, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Bustamante Mandrion J, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Kawecki D, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Puelacher C, Wussler D, Strebel I, Keller DI, Poepping I, Kuhne M, Mueller C, Reichlin T; BASEL IX Investigators; Gimenez MR, Walter J, Kozhuharov N, Shrestha S, Mueller D, Sazgary L, Morawiec B, Muzyk P, Nowalany-Kozielska E, Freese M, Stelzig C, Meissner K, Kulangara C, Hartmann B, Ferel I, Sabti Z, Greenslade J, Hawkins T, Rentsch K, von Eckardstein A, Buser A, Kloos W, Lohrmann J, Osswald S. Prospective validation of prognostic and diagnostic syncope scores in the emergency department. Int J Cardiol. 2018 Oct 15;269:114-121. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.06.088. Epub 2018 Jun 21.
PubMed 30224031Badertscher P, Nestelberger T, de Lavallaz JDF, Than M, Morawiec B, Kawecki D, Miro O, Lopez B, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Bustamante J, Geigy N, Christ M, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Cullen L, Sarasin F, Flores D, Tschuck M, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Wildi K, Sabti Z, Puelacher C, Rubini Gimenez M, Kozhuharov N, Shrestha S, Strebel I, Rentsch K, Keller DI, Poepping I, Buser A, Kloos W, Lohrmann J, Kuehne M, Osswald S, Reichlin T, Mueller C. Prohormones in the Early Diagnosis of Cardiac Syncope. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Dec 14;6(12):e006592. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.006592.
PubMed 29426039
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- BAsel Syncope EvaLuation (BASEL IX) Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01548352
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BASEL IX
- Conditions
- Syncope
- Keywords
- Syncope, Unconsciousness, Syncope, vasovagal, neurally-mediated, Syncope, cardiogenic, Cardiac arrhythmia, Sudden cardiac death, Syncopal episode
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 3,500 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Basel, SwitzerlandUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Swiss National Science Foundation
- Study start
- Apr 2010 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Mar 2012 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Syncope is a major health problem. In the emergency department (ED), the management of patients with syncope still remains a clinical challenge because underlying diseases and prognosis can be extremely various. Structural heart disease and primary electrical disorders are major risk factors for sudden cardiac death and mortality in patients with syncope. In contrast, patients with reflex syncope and exclusion of structural heart disease have an excellent prognosis.
Therefore The investigators test the hypothesis that the use of a meticulous patient history, clinical examination and novel biomarkers can improve the rapid and accurate diagnosis of cardiac syncope in patients presenting to the ED and is able to improve risk stratification regarding adverse outcomes.
The prospective multicenter cohort study is designed to enroll 720 patients presenting with transient loss of consciousness within the last 12 hours to the ED. Blood samples for the measurement of novel biomarkers will be obtained at presentation.
All patients will be contacted by phone at 6, 12 and 24 months to determine major adverse events (death, resuscitation, recurrence of syncope, hospitalization for syncope).
Detailed description
Background: Management of patients with syncope is a serious problem concerning 1-2% of emergency department (ED) visits. In 6-20% of these, syncope will be due to a cardiac origin. The rapid and accurate identification of these patients is an important unmet clinical need.
Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of patient's history, clinical judgement and novel biomarkers, alone or in combination, in the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients > 40 years of age presenting with syncope to the ED.
Patients and Methods: This prospective, observational, international multicenter study is initially designed to enroll 720 adult patients > 40 years presenting to the ED with syncope within the last twelve hours. Patient history will be standardized using a predefined form. Treating physicians will be asked to quantify their clinical judgment regarding the presence of cardiac syncope. Digital 12-lead ECG will be recorded at presentation and stored electronically. Blood samples for the measurement of novel cardiovascular biomarkers (including copeptin, pro-endothelin-1, pro-adrenomedullin, natriuretic peptides and high-sensitive cardiac troponins) will be obtained at presentation and stored anonymized. Patients will be contacted by phone at 6, 12 and 24 months to determine major adverse events (death, resuscitation, recurrence of syncope, hospitalization for syncope) and results of follow-up examinations. The final diagnosis will be adjudicated by two independent experts after review of all documents pertaining to the individual patient after 6 months. The primary endpoint is to assess the performance of a standardized form of patient's history, clinical judgment and biomarkers, alone and in combination, in the diagnosis of a cardiac syncope, as adjudicated by two independent experts. Secondary endpoints include the accuracy of the above cited items in prognostic stratification and the determination of the cost-effectiveness of the best approach.
Clinical significance: A more accurate and more rapid diagnosis and risk stratification of cardiac syncope can significantly improve patient management and therefore reduce patient morbidity and treatment cost. Overall, we expect this study to provide novel insights, holding important scientific, clinical and economic implications.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Patients presenting to the emergency department with syncope within the last 12 hours.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients presenting to the emergency department
- Age > 40 years
- Syncope within the last 12 hours
- Written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Age < 40 years
- Patients without loss of consciousness and with certain neurological causes (e.g. recurrent epilepsy, hemiplegia at presentation)
- No written informed consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Diagnostic and prognostic value of various novel and established biomarkers, clinical assessment and detailed patient history
Time frame: within 24 months
To test the diagnostic performance of predefined elements of a standardized patient history, overall clinical judgement using a visual analogue scale, and novel biomarkers in the diagnosis of cardiac syncope in patients presenting to the ED.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Apr 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33504514Zimmermann T, du Fay de Lavallaz J, Walter JE, Strebel I, Nestelberger T, Joray L, Badertscher P, Flores D, Widmer V, Geigy N, Miro O, Salgado E, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Keller D, Costabel JP, Wussler DN, Kawecki D, Lohrmann J, Gualandro DM, Kuehne M, Reichlin T, Sun B, Mueller C; BASEL IX and SRS Investigators. Development of an electrocardiogram-based risk calculator for a cardiac cause of syncope. Heart. 2021 Nov;107(22):1796-1804. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2020-318430. Epub 2021 Jan 27.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33038231Zimmermann T, du Fay de Lavallaz J, Nestelberger T, Gualandro DM, Strebel I, Badertscher P, Lopez-Ayala P, Widmer V, Freese M, Miro O, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Keller DI, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Wussler D, Koechlin L, Walter JE, Burgler F, Geigy N, Kuhne M, Reichlin T, Lohrmann J, Mueller C. Incidence, characteristics, determinants, and prognostic impact of recurrent syncope. Europace. 2020 Dec 23;22(12):1885-1895. doi: 10.1093/europace/euaa227.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 31395124Badertscher P, du Fay de Lavallaz J, Hammerer-Lercher A, Nestelberger T, Zimmermann T, Geiger M, Imahorn O, Miro O, Salgado E, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Keller DI, Costabel JP, Walter J, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Mendez A, Gospodinov B, Puelacher C, Wussler D, Koechlin L, Kawecki D, Geigy N, Strebel I, Lohrmann J, Kuhne M, Reichlin T, Mueller C; BASEL IX Investigators. Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients With Syncope. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Aug 13;74(6):744-754. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.06.020.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 30798615du Fay de Lavallaz J, Badertscher P, Nestelberger T, Zimmermann T, Miro O, Salgado E, Christ M, Geigy N, Cullen L, Than M, Javier Martin-Sanchez F, Di Somma S, Frank Peacock W, Morawiec B, Walter J, Twerenbold R, Puelacher C, Wussler D, Boeddinghaus J, Koechlin L, Strebel I, Keller DI, Lohrmann J, Michou E, Kuhne M, Reichlin T, Mueller C; BASEL IX Investigators. B-Type Natriuretic Peptides and Cardiac Troponins for Diagnosis and Risk-Stratification of Syncope. Circulation. 2019 May 21;139(21):2403-2418. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038358. Epub 2019 Feb 25.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 30224031du Fay de Lavallaz J, Badertscher P, Nestelberger T, Isenrich R, Miro O, Salgado E, Geigy N, Christ M, Cullen L, Than M, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Bustamante Mandrion J, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Kawecki D, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Puelacher C, Wussler D, Strebel I, Keller DI, Poepping I, Kuhne M, Mueller C, Reichlin T; BASEL IX Investigators; Gimenez MR, Walter J, Kozhuharov N, Shrestha S, Mueller D, Sazgary L, Morawiec B, Muzyk P, Nowalany-Kozielska E, Freese M, Stelzig C, Meissner K, Kulangara C, Hartmann B, Ferel I, Sabti Z, Greenslade J, Hawkins T, Rentsch K, von Eckardstein A, Buser A, Kloos W, Lohrmann J, Osswald S. Prospective validation of prognostic and diagnostic syncope scores in the emergency department. Int J Cardiol. 2018 Oct 15;269:114-121. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.06.088. Epub 2018 Jun 21.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 29426039Badertscher P, Nestelberger T, de Lavallaz JDF, Than M, Morawiec B, Kawecki D, Miro O, Lopez B, Martin-Sanchez FJ, Bustamante J, Geigy N, Christ M, Di Somma S, Peacock WF, Cullen L, Sarasin F, Flores D, Tschuck M, Boeddinghaus J, Twerenbold R, Wildi K, Sabti Z, Puelacher C, Rubini Gimenez M, Kozhuharov N, Shrestha S, Strebel I, Rentsch K, Keller DI, Poepping I, Buser A, Kloos W, Lohrmann J, Kuehne M, Osswald S, Reichlin T, Mueller C. Prohormones in the Early Diagnosis of Cardiac Syncope. J Am Heart Assoc. 2017 Dec 14;6(12):e006592. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.117.006592.
Related trials for Syncope
RecruitingObservational study
Whole-Body Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Older Adults Presenting to the Emergency Department After a Fall
Accidental Falls, Aged
Not yet recruiting
Head-to-Head (H2H) Comparison of Ambulatory Cardiac ECG Monitors in Japan
Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Atrial Flutter
RecruitingObservational study
Fainting Detection And Early Warning In Syncope Evaluation Study (ARISE)
Orthostatic Hypotension, Reflex Syncope
Active, not recruiting
Cardioneuroablation for Reflex Syncope and Exercise Capacity
Syncope, Vasovagal
RecruitingObservational study
Biospecimen Repository for Cardiac Arrhythmias at the Cleveland Clinic
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Christian Mueller, MD principal investigator
University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
15 sites in 9 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Syncope, run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland at 15 sites in 9 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 15 sites in Switzerland, Spain, United States, Argentina, Australia and 4 more countries. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Diagnostic and prognostic value of various novel and established biomarkers, clinical assessment and detailed patient history (time frame: within 24 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01548352, which also lists 6 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Apr 2025.