Arrhythmology today: risks associated with anti-arrhythmic therapy in an internal medicine outpatient clinic

Česká verzia

Authors: J. Kautzner
Authors place of work: Klinika kardiologie IKEM Praha, přednosta prof. MUDr. Josef Kautzner, CSc., FESC
Published in the journal: Vnitř Lék 2011; 57(9): 702-708
Category: 65th birthday Mudr. Jany Laciné and and 60th birthday Milana Tržila

Summary

Arhytmology that is focused on diagnostics and therapy of heart rhythm disturbances and their complications has undergone dramatic development in last 2 decades. Widespread use of catheter ablation, introduction of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for prevention of sudden cardiac death and finally, development of cardiac resynchronization therapy have lead to decreased importance of drug treatment. Antiarhythmic drugs remain therapy of choice in management of atrial fibrillation and in some ventricular arrhythmias, especially in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator backup. Therefore, this review deals predominantly with a strategy of antiarythmic therapy in atrial fibrillation and discusses possible risks.

Key words:
arhythmology – antiarhythmic drugs – atrial fibrillation – long QT syndrome – proarhythmia

Zdroje

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