Obligatory medical device diagnostics.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of electrical activity of the heart muscle) [possible findings:
- Severe sinus bradycardia, possibly sinus pauses/stoppage.
- Alternating tachycardic and bradycardic atrial replacement rhythms.
- SA/AV conduction abnormalities]
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Long-term ECG – ECG applied over 24 hours for more accurate assessment of cardiac function within the day.
- Exercise ECG (stress ergometry) – detection of exercise-induced cardiac arrhythmias and abnormalities of heart rate rise in sick sinus syndrome.
- Atropine test ( i.v. administration of 2 mg atropine) [in sick sinus syndrome, the rate remains < 80/min after atropine].
- Electrophysiological examination (EPU) – to detect prolonged sinus node recovery time.
- Echocardiography (echo; cardiac ultrasound) – for suspected structural heart disease.
