ARRHYTHMIA

Arrhythmia is irregularity or loss of rhythm of the heart beat. It can take the form of a mild annoyance, or a severe life threatening condition. Many life threatening arrhythmias occur in association with a mild cardiac infarct, but they can also be associated with acute pulmonary disease, acute congestive heart failure, aortic dissection, metabolic disorders, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. Severe arrhythmia's such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation require immediate treatment. Arrhythmia is more a symptom or result of a serious underlying condition, rather than a separate disease. Once the severe arrhythmia is stabilized, it is essential to proceed with medical treatment to resolve the underlying cause.

Bradyarrhythmia is a slow and irregular heart beat. Tachyarrhythmia is a rapid irregular heart beat. Fibrillation is the quivering or spontaneous irregular contraction of the heart muscle due to disrupted electrical impulse.

Ventricular fibrillation is the arrhythmia associated with sudden cardiac arrest. Organized electrical activity and proper mechanical pumping activity are absent. Electrocardiogram shows a chaotic wavy base line. If ventricular fibrillation is not terminated rapidly by defibrillation, blood flow to the brain is cut off causing brain damage. Untreated ventricular fibrillation leads to death. This is the condition that is treated with the electronic defibrillation paddles in emergency situations.

Arrhythmia is a multifaceted and complex condition. Detailed information can be obtained from the web sites listed in our links.

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• Arrhythmia
• Congestive Heart Failure
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