Arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy is a reversible form of myocardial dysfunction requiring early diagnosis and appropriate management to restore cardiac function and prevent heart failure or sudden death.
Arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy is a partially or completely reversible form of myocardial dysfunction due to sustained supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Asynchrony, rapid cardiac rates and rhythm irregularities are the main factors involved in the development of the disease. The reversible nature of arrhythmia-induced cardiac dysfunction allows only for a retrospective diagnosis of the disease once cardiac function is restored following heart rate control. A high level of suspicion is needed to make a diagnosis at an early stage and prevent further progression of the disease. Although reversible, arrhythmia-induced cellular and molecular changes may remain, increasing the risk for sudden death even when normal ejection fraction is restored as well as causing rapid deterioration of cardiac function and development of heart failure symptoms if arrhythmia recurs. Appropriate management based on a combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies to achieve rate control and prevent arrhythmia recurrence is pivotal to avoid further cardiac function deterioration and to control symptoms, significantly reducing the risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac death.
Rocca et al. (Sat,) conducted a review in Arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies for rate control and arrhythmia recurrence prevention was evaluated. Arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy is a reversible form of myocardial dysfunction requiring early diagnosis and appropriate management to restore cardiac function and prevent heart failure or sudden death.