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Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...

Dysrhythmias VII: Nursing Management of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmias VII: Nursing Management of Dysrhythmias

Nursing management of dysrhythmias involves the following:AssessmentSubjective Assessment:The initial step involves gathering patient-reported symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and chest discomfort. It is crucial to collect a detailed history, including previous heart conditions, current medication use, and lifestyle factors like caffeine and alcohol consumption.Objective Assessment:This involves observing clinical signs such as jugular venous distention, cool and pale skin, and...

Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmias, also known as arrhythmias, are disturbances in the heart's rhythm that range from benign to life-threatening. A thorough evaluation is crucial for appropriate management and involves a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests.Medical HistorySymptoms: Collect detailed information on palpitations, dizziness, syncope, chest pain, and fatigue. Note their onset, frequency, and triggers.Previous Cardiac Issues: Document any history of heart...

Dysrhythmias II: Classification of Tachyarrhythmias

Dysrhythmias II: Classification of Tachyarrhythmias

Tachyarrhythmias are a type of dysrhythmia where the heart rate exceeds 100 beats per minute. Here are some common types of tachyarrhythmias:Sinus TachycardiaSinus tachycardia originates from increased impulses from the sinus node, leading to an elevated heart rate. It is often triggered by stress, fever, or exercise.Patients may experience palpitations, a sensation of a racing heart, dizziness, and chest discomfort.Causes and Risk Factors: Common causes include physical exertion, emotional...

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.

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Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

Published on: June 10, 2025

[Arrhythmia risk stratification based on clinical and functional data].

C Rostagno¹, C Lazzeri, G F Gensini

¹Istituto di Clinica Medica e Cardiologia, Università degli Studi, Azienda Ospedaliera, Careggi Viale Morgagni, 85 50134 Firenze.

Italian Heart Journal. Supplement : Official Journal of the Italian Federation of Cardiology

|February 13, 2002

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sudden death in heart failure patients accounts for 40% of deaths. Standard clinical assessments predict overall mortality but fail to identify those at risk of fatal arrhythmias.

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Cutoff Value of Phase Angle by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis at Admission as a Prognostic Factor in Patients with Acute Heart Failure

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Analyzing Long-Term Electrocardiography Recordings to Detect Arrhythmias in Mice

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Area of Science:

Cardiology
Clinical Medicine
Morbidity and Mortality Studies

Background:

Sudden death is a significant cause of mortality in heart failure patients, accounting for up to 40% of all deaths.
While clinical evaluations are crucial for risk stratification, identifying the specific risk of sudden cardiac death remains challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy of common clinical and functional indices in predicting sudden death due to fatal arrhythmias in heart failure patients.
To determine if established markers of overall mortality can effectively stratify risk for sudden cardiac death.

Main Methods:

Review of clinical evaluations and established prognostic factors in heart failure.
Analysis of left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classifications, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters.
Comparison of predictive values for overall mortality versus sudden death from fatal arrhythmias.

Main Results:

Left ventricular ejection fraction is the strongest independent predictor of survival in heart failure.
NYHA functional classifications and peak oxygen consumption from CPET are non-specific markers of overall mortality.
While these indices predict overall mortality, they demonstrate a large overlap and are ineffective in stratifying risk for sudden death caused by fatal arrhythmias, especially in intermediate disease stages.

Conclusions:

Commonly used clinical-functional indices like left ventricular ejection fraction, NYHA classification, and peak oxygen consumption are valuable for predicting overall mortality in heart failure.
These widely employed markers are insufficient for accurately stratifying the risk of sudden death due to fatal arrhythmias.
Further research is needed to identify specific predictors for sudden cardiac death in heart failure populations.