Arrhythmia is a disorder in rhythm of the heart making it too slow or asynchronous. This eventually results in a decreased cardiac output necessitating urgent medical attention.
To have a good understanding of arrythmias it is essential to know about normal electrical activity and the normal tracings in electrocardiogram.
The normal electrical activity of heart involves Sodium channels, Postassium channels, Calcium channels and influences by sympathetic and para-sympathetic system.
Factors causing arrythmias are
Ischemia
Hypoxia
Acidosis or Alkalosis
Electrolyte abnormalities
Excess catecholamines etc.
In general, all arrythmias generally involve a disturbance in impulse generation,conduction or both. Anti-arrythmics are drugs that terminate an attack or protect from arrythmia from occurring.
Antiarrythmic Drugs Classification:
Arrythmias can be best remembered by the mnemonic,
SOBEPOCA – SO -Sodium Channel Blockers BE- Beta Blockers PO- Potassium channel Blockers CA- Calcium channel blockers.
And classes of drugs can be remembered by the following mnemonics
Class Ia Double Quarter Pounder Disopyramide, Quinidine, Procainamide
Class Ib Lettuce, Mayo, Tomato Lidocaine, Mexiletine, Tocainide
Class Ic More Fries Please Moricizine, Flecainide, Propafenone
Complete classification of antiarrythmics by Vaughan William( Source:Wiki)
Extensive Classification Of Anti Arrythmics By Singh Vaughan William
Antiarrythmics PPT & PDF Presentations:
Cardiac Cycle Complete Review
Normal ECG Of Heart
ECG Interpretation
Introduction to Arrhythmias
Recognizing Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation
Supraventricular Tachycardia
Ventricular Fibrillation
Arrhythmia Analysis
Antiarrhythmic Drugs
Difficult Arrhythmia Cases
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