Characteristics of cardiac arrhythmias
• Abnormal electrical conduction or automaticity changes heart’s rate & rhythm
• Mild to catastrophic
• Classified by origin
• Effect on cardiac output BP determines clinical significance
Causes
• Congenital defects
• Myocardial ischemia
• Drug toxicity
• Degeneration of conductive tissue
• Hypertrophy of heart muscle
• Acid-base imbalances
Pathophysiology
• Enhanced automaticity
• Reentry
• Escape beats
• Abnormal electrical conduction
Key signs & symptoms
• Dyspnea
• Hypotension
• Dizziness
• Syncope
• Chest pain
• Cool, clammy skin
• Reduced urinary output
Complications
• Sudden cardiac death
• MI
• Heart Failure
• Thromboembolism