Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias01:29

Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias

703
Dysrhythmias, also known as arrhythmias, are irregular heart rhythms that result from abnormal electrical activity in the heart, affecting its ability to circulate blood efficiently. Tachyarrhythmias, a subset of dysrhythmias, are characterized by abnormally fast heart rates exceeding 100 beats per minute. Here are some types of tachyarrhythmias with their distinct ECG features:Sinus Tachycardia:Sinus tachycardia presents a regular heart rhythm with an increased rate of 101-180 beats per...
703
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

5.2K
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...
5.2K
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age01:27

Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age

365
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
365
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

392
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
392
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

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

1.1K
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...
1.1K
Dysrhythmias II: Classification of Tachyarrhythmias01:28

Dysrhythmias II: Classification of Tachyarrhythmias

734
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...
734

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cardiac angiosarcoma.

Acta cardiologica·2025
Same author

Comments on association of HbA1c with carotid artery plaques in patients with coronary heart disease.

Acta cardiologica·2023
Same author

[A new approach in coronary interventional cardiology: the distal radial approach].

Revue medicale de Liege·2022
Same author

[Inclisiran (Leqvio®), a potent cholesterol-lowering agent by inhibiting PCSK9 using small interfering RNA-based innovative therapy].

Revue medicale de Liege·2022
Same author

[Tricuspid regurgitation: transcatheter treatment by TriClip®].

Revue medicale de Liege·2022
Same author

[Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). What's up?]

Revue medicale de Liege·2022

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

34.6K

[Fibrillation, an epidemic in the elderly?].

H Kulbertus, P Lancellotti

    Revue Medicale De Liege
    |July 29, 2014
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    This review examines the rising prevalence of atrial fibrillation in older adults, explores potential links to obesity, and discusses modern treatment options like new oral anticoagulants to manage associated risks such as stroke.

    Keywords:
    cardiac arrhythmiathrombo-embolic eventsheart failure riskmetabolic health

    Frequently Asked Questions

    More Related Videos

    Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
    04:48

    Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery

    Published on: November 28, 2018

    7.0K
    The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
    23:33

    The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

    Published on: February 28, 2012

    84.2K

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Apr 26, 2026

    Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
    28:13

    Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

    Published on: February 26, 2013

    34.6K
    Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
    04:48

    Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery

    Published on: November 28, 2018

    7.0K
    The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
    23:33

    The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

    Published on: February 28, 2012

    84.2K

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular medicine research within atrial fibrillation diagnostics
    • Geriatric health and chronic disease epidemiology

    Background:

    No prior work had fully resolved why heart rhythm irregularities are becoming more frequent among older populations. It was already known that this specific cardiac condition represents the most common arrhythmia seen by physicians. That uncertainty drove researchers to investigate the rapid growth of these cases over recent decades. Prior research has shown that some experts describe this trend as an emerging epidemic. This gap motivated a closer look at the potential environmental drivers behind such a widespread health shift. Scientists have observed that body mass index trends often mirror the rise in these cardiac events. Prior studies suggest that many elderly patients experience few noticeable symptoms, leading to significant underdiagnosis. This context highlights the urgent need to understand the factors contributing to the current clinical landscape.

    Purpose Of The Study:

    The aim of this review is to evaluate the current epidemiologic aspects of this common cardiac arrhythmia. Researchers seek to clarify why the prevalence of this disorder has increased so dramatically among older adults. The study addresses the uncertainty regarding the environmental factors that might drive this clinical trend. Specifically, the authors investigate whether rising obesity rates correlate with the observed surge in cardiac cases. The work also intends to summarize the risks associated with the condition, such as stroke and heart failure. A secondary goal involves discussing the therapeutic landscape for managing these patients. The authors pay particular attention to the role of new oral anticoagulants in modern practice. This effort provides a synthesized view of the challenges faced by clinicians treating an aging population.

    Main Methods:

    The authors utilized a comprehensive literature synthesis to evaluate existing data on cardiac rhythm disorders. This review approach focused on identifying trends in patient demographics and clinical outcomes. Investigators gathered information from various studies to map the rising prevalence of the condition. The team examined the potential correlation between metabolic health markers and cardiac stability. They assessed current therapeutic guidelines to determine the efficacy of modern pharmaceutical interventions. The evaluation process involved comparing traditional management strategies against newer pharmacological options. Researchers synthesized evidence regarding the frequency of unrecognized cases in older populations. This systematic inquiry provided a clear overview of the current state of clinical knowledge.

    Main Results:

    The strongest finding indicates that the incidence of this arrhythmia has risen constantly over the last several decades. Data suggest that obesity has played a significant role in the proliferation of these cases. The literature confirms that the disorder is frequently pauci-symptomatic in older individuals, leading to frequent underdiagnosis. Evidence shows that the condition carries a high risk of thrombo-embolic events, specifically strokes. The review highlights that untreated patients face a higher mortality rate compared to those receiving appropriate care. Findings demonstrate that the disorder often leads to heart failure if not managed effectively. The synthesis shows that new oral anticoagulants are a focus of modern therapeutic discussions. The results emphasize that the reasons for the rapid increase in prevalence are not entirely elucidated.

    Conclusions:

    The authors propose that the rising burden of this arrhythmia requires careful clinical management in aging populations. They suggest that obesity likely contributes to the observed increase in patient numbers. The review highlights that thrombo-embolic complications remain a primary concern for those diagnosed with the condition. New oral anticoagulants offer a modern approach to reducing stroke risk compared to older therapeutic strategies. The synthesis indicates that heart failure remains a major long-term consequence of untreated rhythm disorders. Experts emphasize that early detection is vital because many elderly individuals present with minimal symptoms. The analysis confirms that the interplay between metabolic health and cardiac stability requires further investigation. These findings imply that current medical practices must adapt to the shifting demographic and health profiles of patients.

    The researchers propose that the condition often remains silent in older patients, which increases the likelihood of severe outcomes like strokes or heart failure. Unlike younger populations, elderly individuals frequently exhibit few symptoms, making early clinical identification difficult.

    The authors suggest that obesity may act as a significant driver for the rising incidence of this heart rhythm disorder. While both conditions have increased in prevalence simultaneously, the exact biological pathways linking excess body weight to cardiac instability remain under investigation.

    The review indicates that new oral anticoagulants are now preferred for managing thrombo-embolic risks. These modern medications provide an alternative to traditional therapies, aiming to lower the probability of stroke in patients who have already developed the arrhythmia.

    The researchers note that the condition is frequently pauci-symptomatic, meaning patients show very few signs of illness. This lack of clear physical indicators often results in the disorder going unrecognized until a major event occurs.

    The authors state that this arrhythmia is associated with a higher mortality rate and an increased risk of thrombo-embolic events. If left unmanaged, the disorder can progress to heart failure, severely impacting the long-term health of the aging population.

    The researchers suggest that the rapid increase in cases constitutes an emerging epidemic. This classification is based on the constant rise in incidence and prevalence observed over the last several decades in clinical practice.