Can arrhythmia be cured?

Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on November 24, 2024
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Arrhythmias come in many types, most of which are curable. Once arrhythmia occurs clinically, an electrocardiogram should be performed as soon as possible to determine the type of arrhythmia. Common arrhythmias can be classified into tachyarrhythmias and bradyarrhythmias, and based on the location of occurrence, into supraventricular arrhythmias and ventricular arrhythmias. Clinically common are supraventricular arrhythmias, such as sinus tachycardia, junctional tachycardia, along with atrial tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter. These generally do not affect the stability of hemodynamics and are relatively easy to treat. On the other hand, ventricular arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and sinus arrest are clinically challenging to cure and require aggressive resuscitation.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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What tests are done for arrhythmia?

The examinations required for arrhythmia are as follows: First, an electrocardiogram, which is the most important non-invasive diagnostic technique for diagnosing arrhythmias. Second, a Holter monitor test should be conducted, which records the electrocardiogram continuously over 24 hours to possibly capture the occurrence of symptoms such as palpitations and fainting, and whether they are related to arrhythmias. It clarifies the relationship between arrhythmias or myocardial ischemia attacks and daily activities, as well as their diurnal distribution characteristics, and can assist in evaluating the efficacy of medications and the condition of pacemakers to some extent. Third is the exercise test; if palpitations occur during exercise, an exercise test can assist in making a diagnosis. Fourth is the esophageal electrocardiogram, which is a useful non-invasive method for diagnosing arrhythmias. Fifth is the cardiac electrophysiological study, typically involving the placement of electrode catheters on the upper and lower parts of the right atrial wall, the tip of the right ventricle, the coronary sinus, and the His bundle area, with the electrical activity at these sites being simultaneously recorded using a multi-channel physiological recorder with 8-12 channels or more.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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What medicine to buy for arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia encompasses a large category of diseases, including sinus tachycardia, bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome, as well as atrial fibrillation, flutter, premature atrial contractions, supraventricular tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, and atrioventricular block, among others. Due to the various types of arrhythmias, the medications used also differ. It is necessary to go to a hospital for a clear diagnosis to determine the specific type of arrhythmia before using appropriate anti-arrhythmic drugs. Some arrhythmias cannot be resolved just by medication; for instance, in cases like pacemaker syndrome, a pacemaker needs to be installed. Additionally, patients with atrial fibrillation who have tachy-brady syndrome also require a pacemaker. Therefore, the decision on what medication to purchase for arrhythmia should be made by a doctor.

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Geriatrics
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What department should one go to for arrhythmia?

Arrhythmia is an important group of diseases among cardiovascular diseases. It can occur on its own or in conjunction with other cardiovascular diseases, thus it mainly requires consulting a department of cardiology. However, due to other causes such as electrolyte or endocrine disorders, anesthesia, hypothermia, thoracic or cardiac surgery, drug effects, and central nervous system diseases, the assistance of endocrinologists and neurologists is needed for diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes, the arrhythmia might be caused by endocrine disorders, such as thyroid diseases or hypoglycemic symptoms in diabetes, necessitating a consultation with the department of endocrinology. If symptoms like transient blindness, fainting, dizziness, or convulsions occur, it is essential to consider brain-related diseases, such as epilepsy or transient insufficient brain blood supply, and consult the department of neurology to make a differential diagnosis.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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Can arrhythmia be cured?

There are many types of arrhythmia, some of which, like sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, occasional premature atrial contractions, premature ventricular contractions, and premature junctional contractions, can also occur in healthy individuals and usually do not require treatment. Another category requires treatment, such as supraventricular tachycardia, including atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, which can be cured by radiofrequency ablation. Additionally, conditions like atrial fibrillation can be treated with radiofrequency ablation; many patients may be cured, but some may not respond to this treatment and require medication instead. There are also patients with intrinsic structural heart disease presenting various arrhythmias that can only be managed with medication, not cured.

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Does arrhythmia require hospitalization?

Arrhythmia treatment should be determined based on the patient's symptoms, type of arrhythmia, and its impact on hemodynamics. For instance, minor conditions like slight sinus bradycardia, irregular sinus rhythm, occasional atrial premature contractions, and first-degree atrioventricular block, which have minimal impact on hemodynamics and no significant clinical manifestation or structural heart disease, do not necessitate hospitalization. However, more severe arrhythmias such as sick sinus syndrome, rapid atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and sustained ventricular tachycardia, which can cause symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness, low blood pressure, sweating, and in severe cases, fainting, Adam-Stokes syndrome, and even sudden cardiac death, require prompt medical attention and hospitalization for treatment.