Treatment of Cardiac Arrhythmias

THERE has been a resurgence of interest in cardiac arrhythmias in the past few years. Many excellent papers have been published reporting clinical and experimental investigations of the nature and treatment of these disturbances. From this wealth of data and detail one fact emerges with startling clarity, namely, that digitalis and quinidine still retain their positions of preeminence as antiarrhythmic drugs. The work and experience of recent years have resulted in a better understanding of the action and methods of employment of these two drugs and, in addition, have brought into prominence various agents of lesser importance but of occasional great value. It is the purpose of this paper to review briefly the current status of the management of cardiac arrhythmias. A simplified list of recommended drugs and dosages is appended in the Table. It is obvious that not all arrhythmias need to be treated. Sinus arrhythmia, sinus bradycardia, A-V nodal rhythms (including interference dissociation), and