Naslov
Ventricular arrhythmias: When to treat with drugs?

Autori
Petrač.Dubravko

Izvornik
Acta clinica Croatica (0353-9466) 33 (1994), 3-4; 329-347

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, stručni

Ključne riječi
ventricular arrhythmias; drug therapy

Sažetak
Despite major advances in the understanding of mechanisms of arrhythmias, bette diagnostic methods and a wide array of new mode or therapy, the antiarrhythmic drugs continue to be the first-line therapy for ventricular arrhythmias. Because of thei side effects, specially proarrhythmic risk, the decision on when to treat with drugs should be weighed carefully with emphasis on symptoms, underlying heart disease, degree of myocardial dysfunction and the prognostic significance of the ventricular arrhythmias. In the absence of structural heart disease, the antiarrhythmic therapy of ventricular arrhythmias in indicated only in patients with symptoms. The asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with undrelying heart disease and venticular extrasystoles (ten of more per hour, repetitive) have also indication for antiarrhythmic therapy. In asymptomatic patients the beta blockers and in symptomatic patients, one of the class I B of class I C antiarrhythmic drugs are indicated. In the asymptomatic patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and organic heart disease, the antiarrhythmic therapy has to be determined after electropharmacological testing. In the patients with sustanied ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation and underlying heart disease, the antiarrhythmic therapy is mandatory. According to recent reports, sotalol appears to be the first option for pharmacotherapy in these patients.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA