The rational management of cardiac arrhythmias requires understanding the arrhythmia mechanism, the antiarrhythmic drug's mode of action, and the specific clinical situation.
The rational basis of antiarrhythmic therapy ideally requires a knowledge of 1. The mechanism of the arrhythmia: Disturbances in impulse generation (enhanced automaticity or ectopic tachyarrhythmia). Disturbances of impulse conduction (reentrant arrhythmias). Most of the evidence suggests that reentry is the mechanism for sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). he site or sites where such disturbances are present. 2. The mode of action of the drug with which control of the arrhythmia is to be attempted. 3. The clinical situation: Acute, persistent or paroxysmal. Associated with a low blood pressure < 90 mmHg, congestive heart failure (CHF), or distressing symptoms. Associated with cardiac pathology, accessory pathway or secondary to hypoxemia, acute blood loss, electrolyte or acid-base imbalance, extracardiac conditions as diverse as thyrotoxicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or acute conditions such as pyrexial illness, pneumothorax, or even rupture of the esophagus. KeywordsVentricular TachycardiaSinus RhythmVentricular ArrhythmiaAtrial FlutterAntiarrhythmic AgentThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
Reynolds et al. (Mon,) conducted a review in Cardiac Arrhythmias. Antiarrhythmic therapy was evaluated. The rational management of cardiac arrhythmias requires understanding the arrhythmia mechanism, the antiarrhythmic drug's mode of action, and the specific clinical situation.