Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias may be a mere cosmetic blemish, may cause symptoms, may be hemodynamically significant or may be of prognostic significance. Those arrhythmias which have an immediate hemodymanic effect are serious and may threaten life. Examples include rapid tachyarrhythmias, asystole and complete heart block. Initial management in the presence of a sustained event must be to restore a normal rhythm or to reduce the hemodynamic consequences of the abnormal rhythm. When the acute situation has resolved, continuing management may be necessary as a protection against repetitive events. As in all areas of medical endeavour, treatment should be profiled for efficacy and safety. In the management of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias a moderate incidence of unwanted effects and perhaps even quite serious risks of therapy may be acceptable as the price to pay for protection.
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© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Campbell, R.W.F. (1988). Treatment of Serious Cardiac Arrhythmias. In: Vincent, J.L. (eds) Update 1988. Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, vol 5. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-83392-2_42
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-83392-2_42
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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