cardiovascular disorders
Overview of Arrhythmias
Treatment of Arrhythmias
Treatment of cause Sometimes antiarrhythmic drugs, pacemakers, cardioversion-defibrillation, catheter ablation, or surgery The need for treatment varies; it is guided by symptoms and risks of the arrhythmia. Asymptomatic arrhythmias without serious risks do not require treatment even if they worsen. Symptomatic arrhythmias may require treatment to improve quality of life. Potentially life-threatening arrhythmias require treatment. Treatment is directed at causes. If necessary, direct antiarrhythmic therapy is used. Direct antiarrhythmic therapy includes, either alone or in combination, Medications for Arrhythmias None Direct Current (DC) Cardioversion-Defibrillation None Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICD) (ICDs) Cardiac Pacemakers (and a special form of pacing, Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmia None Surgery for cardiac arrhythmias None Patients with arrhythmias that have caused or are likely to cause symptoms of hemodynamic compromise may have to be restricted from driving until response to treatment has been assessed. Surgery to remove a focus of a tachyarrhythmia is becoming less necessary as the less invasive Ablation for Cardiac Arrhythmia evolve. But surgery is indicated when an arrhythmia is refractory to ablation or when another indication requires a cardiac surgical procedure, most commonly when patients with atrial fibrillation require valve replacement or repair or when patients with ventricular tachycardia require revascularization or resection of a left ventricular aneurysm. 