ARRHYTHMIAS

General Mechanisms

Passive (Brady-) Arrhythmias

Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Ventricular Arrhythmias

Wide [QRS]-Complex Tachycardias

Differentiating Tachyarrhhythmias

Note: for evaluation of palpitations with continuous-loop event monitors, likelihood of diagnosing a significant arrhythmia did not increase after 2 weeks of monitoring in a series of 105 men & women with palpitations (Ann. Int. Med 128:890, 1998--JW)

Beta-1 adrenergic receptors have the following effect on the heart:

1. Increase SA node rate
2. Increase speed of conduction inc. in AV node
3. Increase inotropy
4. Increased irritability of supraventricular foci