[Alcohol and rhythm disorders]

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality in chronic alcoholics. There is a clear association between excessive alcohol consumption and the risk of sudden cardiac death. The pro-arrhythmogenic effect of ethanol could be responsible for some of these cases of arrhythmia and sudden death in subjects with an alcoholic cardiomyopathy and also in those with an apparently normal heart. In any case of supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmia in a chronic alcoholic or in an occasional heavy drinker, the potential role of alcohol consumption in the initiation of these disorders should be considered. In all cases, patient management consists of detoxification and abstaining from alcohol consumption, but the withdrawal period is particularly critical as regards the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.