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Bradyarrhythmias

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Management of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

Abstract

Bradyarrhythmias are due to a variety of disorders leading to a reduction of heart rate below that which is required to meet physiologic demand. The limitation of heart rate can be related to impaired impulse formation, blocked impulses, or a combination of these. Bradycardia related to sinus node dysfunction most frequently results from a reduction in the number of pacemaker impulses, while bradycardia related to the atrioventricular node most often is due to impaired conduction. Regardless of the cause, the diagnostic algorithm for bradycardia is straightforward and includes an electrocardiogram with use of ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring when needed. For special situations, exercise testing or electrophysiologic testing can be useful. Therapy of bradyarrhythmias consists of removing aggravating factors and permanent pacemaker implantation when necessary.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Ernest Matthew Quin MD

  2. Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    J. Marcus Wharton MD

  3. Division of Cardiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Michael R. Gold MD, PHD

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  1. Ernest Matthew Quin MD
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  2. J. Marcus Wharton MD
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  3. Michael R. Gold MD, PHD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Main Line Health Heart Center, 100 Lancaster Ave, Wynnewood, 19096, Pennsylvania, USA

    Gan-Xin Yan

  2. Main Line Health Heart Center, 100 Lancaster Ave, Wynnewood, 19096, Pennsylvania, USA

    Peter R. Kowey

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Quin, E.M., Wharton, J.M., Gold, M.R. (2011). Bradyarrhythmias. In: Yan, GX., Kowey, P. (eds) Management of Cardiac Arrhythmias. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-161-5_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-161-5_14

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