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Related Concept Videos

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:28

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

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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...
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Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias01:28

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

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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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ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias01:16

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias

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Arrhythmias are disturbances in the heart's rhythm that lead to abnormal heartbeats. These irregularities can originate from different parts of the heart and are classified based on their origin and nature.
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism,...
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Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm01:19

Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm

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The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase...
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The Cardiac Cycle01:13

The Cardiac Cycle

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The heart beats rhythmically in a sequence called the cardiac cycle—a rapid coordination of contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole).
The Process
Electrical signals—sent from the sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrial wall to the atrioventricular (AV) node between the right atrium and right ventricle—cause both atria to simultaneously contract. When the signal reaches the AV node, it pauses for approximately a tenth of a second, allowing the atria to contract and...
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Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers01:24

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers

727
Adrenergic stimulation generally impacts cardiac rate and rhythm. Specifically, stimulation of the β-adrenoceptors triggers an increase in intracellular calcium ion influx and pacemaker currents, which may cause arrhythmias. Catecholamines like adrenaline also demonstrate β2-adrenoceptor-mediated hypokalemia, impacting cardiac action potential and disrupting the normal cardiac rhythm. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs are β-adrenoceptor antagonists or β-blockers, which...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 18, 2025

Transesophageal Atrial Burst Pacing for Atrial Fibrillation Induction in Rats
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Transesophageal Atrial Burst Pacing for Atrial Fibrillation Induction in Rats

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When the Clock Strikes A-fib.

Johannes L P M van den Broek1, Lisa A Gottlieb2, Jasper R Vermeer1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

JACC. Clinical Electrophysiology
|August 2, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Nocturnal atrial fibrillation (AF) has a distinct onset pattern, often occurring overnight. Understanding its unique mechanisms and sleep-related factors can guide personalized treatment strategies for this patient subgroup.

Keywords:
atrial fibrillationnocturnalobstructive sleep apneapathophysiologysleep

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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
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Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Circadian Biology

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) presents with varied symptoms, including a specific subgroup experiencing predominantly nocturnal onset.
  • This nocturnal pattern suggests unique underlying mechanisms influenced by circadian rhythms and sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define and characterize the subgroup of patients experiencing nocturnal onset of atrial fibrillation.
  • To explore the interacting mechanisms contributing to this specific AF presentation.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for nocturnal atrial fibrillation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on atrial fibrillation with nocturnal onset.
  • Periodicity analysis to identify peak onset times for nocturnal AF.
  • Discussion of potential interacting mechanisms including circadian modulation, vagal tone, and sleep disorders.

Main Results:

  • A distinct increase in AF onset was observed between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am.
  • Multiple factors, including circadian rhythms, vagal tone, and sleep disorders, likely interact to trigger nocturnal AF.
  • Potential therapeutic strategies involve managing comorbidities, optimizing drug timing, and autonomic nervous system modulation.

Conclusions:

  • Nocturnal onset AF is a distinct clinical entity requiring specific understanding.
  • Circadian influences, autonomic tone, and sleep disturbances are key contributors.
  • Personalized therapeutic approaches targeting these mechanisms are crucial for effective management.