Rowan Cook

Cardiac Arrhythmia: Contemporary Cardiology Rowan Cook

Cardiac arrhythmia or heart arrhythmia refers to a group of cardiac conditions, which is characterized by an irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmias can be of different types - supraventricular tachycardias, bradyarrhythmias, extra beats and ventricular arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are generally not considered serious but a person may become susceptible to complications such as heart failure or stroke, and cardiac arrest. Some common symptoms of arrhythmia are palpitations, which can be frequent, infrequent or continuous. If an arrhythmia causes a very fast, very slow or weak heartbeat, then lower blood pressure, light-headedness or dizziness are commonly experienced. Cardiac arrhythmias are generally detected during an auscultation of the heartbeat using a stethoscope, or by feeling peripheral pulses. The assessment of a cardiac abnormality using an electrocardiogram allows the diagnosis and evaluation of arrhythmia. Cardiac rhythm management can be achieved through medication, electro-cautery or cryo-cautery or by vagal maneuvres. Drugs such as anticoagulants and antiarrhythmics drugs may be prescribed. This book covers in detail the clinical perspectives in the development of cardiac arrhythmia. Different approaches, evaluations, methodologies and advanced studies on contemporary cardiology have been included herein. This is a collective contribution of a renowned group of international experts.