Congenital Heart Disease Arrhythmias March to Their Own Beat

Описание: Mayo Clinic cardiologists, Christopher McLeod, M.B., Ch.B, Ph.D., and Bryan Cannon, M.D., discuss atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in complex congenital heart disease. Visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-co... for more information on arrhythmias in congenital heart disease or to request an appointment.

Medical management of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias in congenital heart disease patients is different than management in other patients. The arrhythmias can look different on EKG making diagnosis more difficult, and the standard medications typically do not work well in this population.

Medications such as sotalol, dofetilide, and amiodarone are usually safer in congenital heart disease patients. Due to medications having side effects and not all being meant for long-term use, catheter ablation may be done as well. A preemptive strategy is used during the ablation to not only ablate the area causing issues, but also look for other areas that may cause problems in the future take care of them right away.

Medical management for ventricular arrhythmias can be the use of class III antiarrhythmic drugs, ablation, abut also defibrillator implantation. Defibrillators are the best preventative therapy for sudden cardiac death, however typically cannot be implanted as they are with non-congenital patients. Many factors play a role in determining if an ICD should be implanted. It is important to work closely with your cardiologist to make this decision.