ABSTRACT
Learning objectives ■ Normal cardiac rhythm ■ Arrhythmias ■ Automaticity ■ Re-entrant (circus) arrhythmias ■ Diagnosis ■ Treatment of arrhythmias:
antidysrhythmic drugs
Learning objectives Know the given factors controlling normal heart rhythm and be able to ■ sketch quickly the main conduction pathways (see Figure 19.1). Be able to state briefl y what arrhythmias are and their consequences for ■ the patient. Know the defi nition of automaticity and of the meaning of re-entrant ■ (circus) arrhythmias. Know the three main aims of treatment with antidysrhythmic drugs. ■ Be aware of the main features of the Vaughan-Williams classifi cation of ■ antidysrhythmic drugs, with examples of drugs. Read through the examples of drugs and their uses, adverse effects, ■ precautions and contraindications.
