Category: Volume 1 Number 2

Athletes and Arrhythmias

Athletes and Arrhythmias

Authors: Jansen, Michael J.; Burke, Floyd W.

Sudden cardiac death related to athletic competition is a rare but tragic event. The victims are typically young with no previous cardiovascular symptoms or limitations. The majority of sudden cardiac death events in athletes are due to ventricular arrhythmias as a result of underlying molecular and/or structural level pathologic substrate. In this article, we will review the physiologic cardiac adaptations to exercise along with arrhythmias seen in athletes with a focus on those commonly associated with sudden cardiac death.

Loading

Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators: Who Needs Them and Who Does Not?

Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators: Who Needs Them and Who Does Not?

Author: Conti, C. Richard

Cardiologists who see patients on a general cardiology service are beginning to see an increasing number of patients who have received a primary prevention implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) but have never had it fire. There are additionally a number of patients who have inappropriate firing of ICDs. Inappropriate shocks occur in up to 40% of patients with an ICD. The main cause is supraventricular tachyarrhythmia , including sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and other rapid supraventricular arrhythmias. Read More

Key Words: implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD); supraventricular tachyarrhythmia; rapid supraventricular arrhythmias;

Document Type: Commentary

 

Loading