Arrhythmia Central

• Any change in electrical impulses, which cause abnormal heart rhythms, is considered an arrhythmia and the severity can range from harmless to life-threatening.
• Different types of arrhythmias include atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, conduction disorders, premature contraction, tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation.
• Exertion or stress, imbalances in the blood, different medicine or problems with electrical signals in the heart can trigger a sudden arrhythmia, but it can continue if the heart has experienced other issues. These could include fibrosis, the restoration of blood flow for treatment of a heart attack, reduced blood flow, damage to the electrical system of the heart and changes in the anatomy of the heart.
• Age, environment, family history/genetics, lifestyle, comorbidities, race or ethnicity, sex and surgery all impact an individual’s risk for arrhythmia. Those who are older and report a history of drinking alcohol, smoking and using illegal drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines experience the highest risk for arrhythmia. However, arrhythmias related to congenital heart defects and inherited conduction disorders are more common in children and young adults.
• Treatment for arrhythmia focuses heavily on healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, being physically active and managing stress. Arrhythmias can also be treated with medication, including adenosine, beta blockers, blood thinners, calcium channel blockers, digitalis or digoxin, potassium channel blockers and sodium channel blockers, as well as procedures such as cardioversion, catheter ablation, implantable cardioverter defibrillators and pacemakers.
• It is already known that atrial fibrillation can increase the risk for stroke, and recently presented data have demonstrated that while oral anticoagulation is beneficial for some patients it does not provide sufficient protection from brain damage.
• The University of Rochester researchers developed an online calculator to assess the 5-year risk for life-threatening arrhythmic events in patients with long QT syndrome. The score is based on prespecified time-dependent covariates of baseline-corrected QT, age, sex, syncope, beta-blocker use and genotype.
• The addition of ethanol infusion to the vein of Marshall reduced atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation events in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation.
• Increasing protein intake may reduce the risk for atrial fibrillation among women experiencing post-menopause.
• Data from the Apple Heart Study, which was presented in March 2019, has formed a solid foundation for future integration of smart technology for the identification and clinical evaluation of arrhythmia events.

References

• AHA. About Arrhythmia. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia. Accessed June 16, 2020.
• Conen D, et al. LBCT03-02. Presented at: Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions; May 6-9, 2020 (virtual meeting).
• Gerber DA, et al. Abstract 1061-03. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Scientific Session; March 28-30, 2020 (virtual meeting).
• NIH. Arrhythmia. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/arrhythmia. Accessed June 16, 2020.
• Turakhia MP. Joint American College of Cardiology and Journal of American College of Cardiology Late-Breaking Clinical Trials. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Scientific Session; March 16-18, 2019; New Orleans.
• Valderrábano M, et al. Featured Clinical Research II: Interventional. Presented at: American College of Cardiology Scientific Session; March 28-30, 2020 (virtual meeting).
• Zareba W, et al. LBCT04-03. Presented at: Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions; May 6-9, 2020 (virtual meeting).