arrhythmia
Pronunciation: ah-RITH-mee-ah
Any deviation from the normal heart rhythm, including irregular, fast, or slow heartbeats.
Full Definition
Arrhythmia encompasses any abnormality in the heart's electrical conduction system that results in deviation from normal sinus rhythm. Arrhythmias can be classified by rate (tachyarrhythmias vs. bradyarrhythmias), origin (supraventricular vs. ventricular), or regularity (regular vs. irregular). Common types include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and heart block. Causes range from structural heart disease and electrolyte imbalances to medications and genetic conditions. Clinical significance varies widely, from benign premature beats to life-threatening ventricular fibrillation. Diagnosis relies on ECG documentation, with treatment options including medications, cardioversion, ablation, or device implantation depending on the specific arrhythmia and clinical context.
Usage
Usage note: Both 'arrhythmia' and 'dysrhythmia' are acceptable; specify type when possible.
In Context
- "Holter monitoring revealed frequent ventricular arrhythmias during exercise." — Ambulatory ECG interpretation
- "The patient's arrhythmia burden decreased significantly after catheter ablation." — Electrophysiology follow-up note