Clinical Significance and Management of Arrhythmias

The human normal heart rhythm occurs when a person has a regular heartbeat originated by depolarization of the sinus node, which is normally transmitted through the atria to the AV node, and thereafter—in normal condition—through the His-Purkinje system to the myocytes of the ventricles. This normal heartbeat occurs at a rate which is appropriate to the clinical circumstances of the individual (e.g. faster during exercise than at rest) and is called sinus rhythm. The term arrhythmia comprises a group of heterogeneous conditions with abnormal electrical activity of the heart in origin, rate, or both which lead to an increased (tachyarrhythmias) or reduced (bradiarrhythmias) heart rate, compared to normal. This chapter summarizes the recommendations for diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of arrhythmias according to recent recommendations of major international scientific societies.