Arritmias

Abstract

Cardiac cells or cardiac myocytes are highly specialized cells responsible for both conduction of electrical impulses and mechanical contraction. Some myocytes have the ability to generate rhythmic depolarization of its cell membrane potencial. This impulse is conveyed in all directions, leading to coordinated depolarization and contraction of the heart, and consequently setting the rate of heart contraction. Arrhythmias are an abnormality in heartbeat pattern different from a normal sinus rhythm. The mechanisms responsible for cardiac arrhythmias are generally divided into two broad categories: enhanced or abnormal impulse formation (automaticity and triggered activity) and conduction disturbances (block and reentry) and can affect the heart rate causing irregular rhythms, such as slow (bradyarrhythmia) or fast heartbeat (tachyarrhythmia). The diagnosis of the underlaying cause and subsequent treatment is based mainly on the electrocardiogram and electrophysiological study. All these elements will be treated in this chapter in an in-depth and educational manner.