Disturbances of Rate Rhythm and Conduction

• Disturbances of Rate Rhythm and Conduction pt1:

  • Alterations in cardiac rhythm can occur for many reasons post-AMI including hypoxia, ionic imbalance (especially K+), pyrexia, stress or drug therapy
  • Alternatively, transient disturbances may occur as a result of inflammation secondary to the MI
• Disturbances of Rate Rhythm and Conduction pt2:

  • These disturbances may be present for limited periods of time however permanent damage or scar tissue formation post-MI may result in permanent rhythmic disturbances
  • Such disturbances occur in ~ 95% of all AMI cases
  • In 50% of these cases the disturbances are significant enough to require treatment, usually in the form of medication
• Disturbances of Rate Rhythm and Conduction pt3:

  • Anti-arrhythmic drugs tend to be channel blockers – there are 4 main classes:
  • Na+ blockers
  • Beta blockers
  • K+ channel blockers
  • Ca2+ channel blockers