ABSTRACT
Some dysrhythmias are immediately life threatening. If not immediately life threatening, dysrhythmias usually compromise cardiac function (reduced stroke volume, increased tachycardia and myocardial hypoxia) and are usually symptoms of some problem. Dysrhythmias may be acute or chronic. Chronic dysrhythmias (atrial fibrillation being especially common) should be controlled, but can rarely be reversed. Most acute dysrythmias should be actively reversed if possible, with close haemodynamic monitoring and support where reversal is not possible.
