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Digitalis excess mimicking the sick sinus syndrome
Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical Care
|July 1, 1976
Summary
Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) involves arrhythmias like sinus bradycardia and sino-atrial block. These conditions are distinct from iatrogenic causes such as digitalis toxicity or electrolyte imbalances.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Symptomatic bradycardia-tachycardia is a common manifestation of sick sinus syndrome (SSS).
- Distinguishing SSS from iatrogenic causes of alternating bradycardia-tachycardia is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Iatrogenic causes, including excessive digitalis use or electrolyte imbalances, do not represent SSS itself.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the specific criteria for diagnosing sick sinus syndrome.
- To differentiate SSS from other causes of bradycardia-tachycardia.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical criteria for diagnosing arrhythmias.
- Exclusion of iatrogenically induced conditions.
Main Results:
- Sick sinus syndrome encompasses specific arrhythmias not caused by external factors.
- Key arrhythmias include sinus bradycardia unresponsive to stimuli, sino-atrial block with prolonged pauses, and alternating bradycardia or tachycardia.
Conclusions:
- Sick sinus syndrome is characterized by specific intrinsic cardiac arrhythmias.
- Diagnosis requires the exclusion of iatrogenic factors like medication side effects or metabolic disturbances.