Cardiac Arrhythmias: Overview & Classification
There are two broad types of cardiac arrhythmias: bradyarrhythmias (brady = "slow") and tachyarrhythmias (tachy = "fast"). In general, tachyarrhythmias are more problematic and may require more complicated treatment. A patient with a symptomatic bradyarrhythmia resulting from fixed conduction system disease is generally easily treated by implanting a pacemaker. Tachyarrhythmias can either originate in the upper chambers of the heart (supraventricular tachyarrhythmias) or the lower chambers of the heart (ventricular tachyarrhythmias). Although there are number of exceptions, ventricular tachyarrhythmias are typically more dangerous - possibly even life threatening - compared with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias potentially may be treatable with a spectrum of options including antiarrhythmic medications or radiofrequency catheter ablation. Patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias, but without structural heart disease, likewise may be treatable with medical therapy or catheter ablation. However, patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias caused by significant heart disease, such as a previous heart attack (myocardial infarction) or any heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) often require treatment with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. The outline below classifies cardiac arrhythmias.
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