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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...

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...

Dysrhythmias I: Introduction

Dysrhythmias I: Introduction

Dysrhythmias refers to abnormalities in the heart's rhythm. They result from disruptions in the heart's electrical conduction system, which includes the sinoatrial(SA)node, atrioventricular(AV) node, the bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers.Definition and PathophysiologyDysrhythmias result from disorders of impulse formation, impulse conduction, or both. The heart contains specialized cells in the sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, and the bundle of His and Purkinje fibers...

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.

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

Published on: April 5, 2011

Introducing a new entity: chemotherapy-induced arrhythmia.

Maya Guglin¹, Mohsen Aljayeh, Saleemuddin Saiyad

¹Department of Cardiology, University of South Florida, 2A Columbia Drive, Tampa, FL 33618, USA. mguglin@gmail.com

Europace : European Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Electrophysiology : Journal of the Working Groups on Cardiac Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology

|October 6, 2009

Summary

Chemotherapy can cause heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Certain drugs, such as cisplatin and anthracyclines, are linked to higher arrhythmia risks, necessitating further research.

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Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus

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Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment

Published on: January 7, 2015

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Oncology
Pharmacology

Background:

The link between chemotherapy and cardiac arrhythmias is not fully understood.
Arrhythmias are a potential adverse effect of various chemotherapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and summarize existing literature on chemotherapy-induced arrhythmias.
To identify specific anticancer drugs associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Main Methods:

A literature review of published reports on chemotherapy-induced arrhythmias.
Searches conducted in PubMed/Medline and OVID databases from 1950 onwards.
Inclusion of English-language articles and lateral references.

Main Results:

Anthracyclines are linked to AF (2-10%) and rarely VT/fibrillation.
Cisplatin shows a high AF rate (12-32%), especially with intrapericardial use.
5-fluorouracil-induced arrhythmias are often ischemic, related to coronary spasm; Melphalan and Interleukin-2 are associated with AF.

Conclusions:

Several chemotherapeutic drugs are associated with specific types of arrhythmias, notably AF and VT.
Prospective studies are required to establish definitive causal relationships between anticancer drugs and arrhythmias.