Cardiac arrhythmia is characterised by an irregular heartbeat. It is the most common arrhythmia and its incidence increases with age.
Although the cause is unknown in many cases, pathologies such as hypertension, coronary diseases (congenital cardiopathies, mitral insufficiency), lung diseases (pneumonia, lung cancer, etc.), hyperthyroidism and excessive alcohol consumption have been associated with it.
Symptoms may be due to a low or increased heart rate. The most common symptoms are palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain and/or shortness of breath. A severe change in heart rate can lead to loss of consciousness.
The diagnosis is made by questioning and physical examination and confirmed by an electrocardiogram. If the arrhythmia is intermittent, it may be necessary to apply a continuous electrocardiographic monitor (Holter).
Treatment is based on antiarrhythmic drugs. If the symptoms are severe, it may be necessary to reverse the arrhythmia with an electric shock from a defibrillator. As it is associated with thrombi and emboli, anticoagulant treatment is recommended to prevent complications.
- Philip J Podrid, MD, FACC. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. UpToDate. Oct 104, 2016.
- Leonard I Ganz, MD, FHRS, FACC. David Spragg, MD, FHRS. Epidemiology of and risk factors for atrial fibrillation. UpToDate. Jul 06, 2016.
- Warren J Manning, MD. Daniel E Singer, MD. Gregory YH Lip, MD, FRCPE, FESC, FACC. Atrial fibrillation: Anticoagulant therapy to prevent embolization. UpToDate. Oct 31, 2016.
- Camm AJ, Lip GY, De Caterina R, et al. 2012 focused update of the ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: an update of the 2010 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation--developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association. Europace 2012; 14:1385.
- January CT, Wann LS, Alpert JS, et al. 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS guideline for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. J Am Coll Cardiol 2014; 64:e1.
