Advances in antiarrhythmic therapy

The therapy of cardiac arrhythmias in small animals can be confusing and challenging. This article reviews the current concepts of cardiac rhythm, including impulse generation, automaticity, and conduction in normal and diseased cardiac tissues. The mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis (abnormal automaticity and triggered events) and automatic modulation of cardiac arrhythmias are also discussed. Finally, a review of the clinical management of specific cardiac arrhythmias provides the practicing veterinarian with the current concepts of cardiac rhythm control.