arrhythmia

Heart Palpitations: Causes, Treatment

Brief overview Causes: Strong emotions such as excitement or anxiety, physical exertion, heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, hormonal fluctuations, shock, pulmonary embolism, poisoning, medication, drugs, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol Treatment: Depending on the underlying cause, relaxation exercises, medications (sedatives, heart medications), catheter ablation, cardioversion. When to see a doctor? In case of prolonged or recurrent palpitations. In … Heart Palpitations: Causes, Treatment

Sotalol: Effects and Side Effects

How does sotalol work? Sotalol is a so-called class III antiarrhythmic drug (= potassium channel blocker). It prolongs the electrical excitation (action potential) in the atria and ventricles of the heart by inhibiting the outflow of potassium ions from the heart muscle cells. Sotalol thereby prolongs the so-called QT interval. This interval in the ECG … Sotalol: Effects and Side Effects

Cardiac Conduction System: Function, Role & Diseases

The excitation conduction system of the heart consists of glycogen-rich specialized cardiac myocytes. They focus the contraction signals generated by the excitation generation system and transmit them to the muscles of the atria and ventricles in a specific rhythm, creating an orderly sequence of systole (beating phase of the ventricles) and diastole (relaxation phase of … Cardiac Conduction System: Function, Role & Diseases

Cardiac Plexus: Structure, Function & Diseases

The cardiac plexus is a nerve plexus of the autonomic nervous system, also known as the cardiac plexus. The deep portions of this network consist of sympathetic as well as parasympathetic nerve fibers and control the automatic action of the heart, which is beyond any external influence. Damage to the plexus can result in palpitations, … Cardiac Plexus: Structure, Function & Diseases

Tourniquet Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Tourniquet syndrome is a life-threatening complication that can occur after reperfusion of a body part that has previously been ligated for an extended period of time. It can include shock, cardiac arrhythmias, and irreversible renal damage. What is tourniquet syndrome? Tourniquet syndrome is also called reperfusion trauma. It occurs when a part of the body … Tourniquet Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Abiraterone Acetate

Products Abiraterone is commercially available in the form of film-coated tablets (Zytiga). It has been approved in many countries since 2011. Structure and properties Abiraterone acetate (C26H33NO2, Mr = 391.5 g/mol) exists as a white crystalline powder that is practically insoluble in water. It is a prodrug and is rapidly biotransformed in the body to … Abiraterone Acetate

Electrostimulation: Treatment, Effects & Risks

Electrostimulation involves contacting a motor nerve by means of applied voltage. This contacting causes an action potential to reach the muscle, causing it to contract. Therapeutic electrostimulation is used primarily for peripheral paralysis and is intended to prevent muscle atrophy. What is electrostimulation? Electrostimulation is therapeutic stimulation by an applied voltage source. Electrostimulative procedures are … Electrostimulation: Treatment, Effects & Risks

Desflurane: Effects, Uses & Risks

Desflurane is an anesthetic that belongs to the flurane class of drugs. The inhalation anesthetic is widely used because of its very good hypnotic properties as well as its easy controllability. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, desflurane is marketed by the American pharmaceutical company Baxter under the trade name Suprane. What is desflurane? Desflurane is … Desflurane: Effects, Uses & Risks

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Effects, Uses & Risks

Antiarrhythmics are drugs used to treat cardiac arrhythmias. They are used primarily for tachycardia, an accelerated heartbeat. For bradycardia, a slowed heart response, a pacemaker is recommended rather than medication with antiarrhythmics. What are antiarrhythmic drugs? Antiarrhythmics are medications used to treat cardiac arrhythmias. These substances are largely manufactured synthetically and do not occur naturally. … Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Effects, Uses & Risks

Heart Rhythm: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases

Cardiac rhythm is the complete repetitive sequence of heartbeats, including electrical excitation and heart muscle contractions. In people with healthy cardiovascular systems, the atria contract first, pumping blood into the ventricles, which then contract, pushing their blood into the great systemic circulation and into the pulmonary circulation. Normally, the complete heartbeat sequences move in a … Heart Rhythm: Function, Tasks, Role & Diseases

Desmin: Structure, Function & Diseases

Desmin is a protein found as an intermediate filament in the cytoskeleton and in striated and smooth muscle. Its role is to stabilize cells and to connect muscular structures. Genetic alterations (mutations) that cause disorders in desmin synthesis are associated with various muscle diseases such as desminopathy or cardiomyopathy. What is desmin? Desmin is a … Desmin: Structure, Function & Diseases

Defibrillator

Introduction A defibrillator is a device used in acute and emergency medicine, which is designed to stop the heart by means of a directed current surge. Contrary to what is often assumed, the defibrillator only leads to heart stimulation in a secondary way. The defibrillator is used when a patient is in life-threatening ventricular fibrillation. … Defibrillator