Cardiac arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is a disruption of the heart's electrical conduction system, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, with the heart rate potentially being slower or faster.
Symptoms
More than 50% of arrhythmia episodes can be asymptomatic, hence the need for arrhythmia screening, especially in the presence of predisposing factors.
As for symptomatic patients, they may experience sensations of palpitations, discomfort, unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, etc.
Is my arrhythmia at risk?
When presented with symptoms potentially related to cardiac arrhythmia, the cardiologist/electrophysiologist will establish a diagnosis. They will particularly assess associated potential risks and accordingly develop a therapeutic strategy, ranging from follow-up recommendations including lifestyle modifications to medical treatment and/or minimally invasive interventions such as arrhythmia ablation.
Indeed, certain arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, can be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke.
What are the pharmacological treatments that can be implemented in the management of cardiac rhythm disorders?
Anticoagulants
Used in certain patients with arrhythmia at thromboembolic risk (blood clots), these treatments are implemented to thin the blood and prevent clot formation, thereby reducing the risk of ischemic strokes.
Antiarrhythmics
Used to treat rhythm disorders, these treatments are implemented to modify the heart's electrical properties in an attempt to restore normal cardiac function. It should be noted that antiarrhythmic treatments may have reduced effectiveness over time, with a potential iatrogenic effect to consider when choosing arrhythmia management.
Ablation may be the minimally invasive therapeutic strategy proposed as a first-line treatment depending on the type of arrhythmia and the patient's comorbidities.