tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome in a patient with atrial fibrillation: a case report

by Camilla Daniel Jr. 7 min read

Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome in a patient with atrial fibrillation ...

2 hours ago Later an atrial fibrillation rhythm, with a ventricular rate of 100-130 beats/min, was observed together with a sinus pause and sinus rhythm with a ventricular rate of 40-50 beats/min. An external pacemaker was applied and set at 60 mA, 40 counts. After the patient regained consciousness, she presented an … >> Go To The Portal


Is tachycardia bradycardia syndrome the same as atrial fibrillation?

Tachycardia- bradycardia syndrome can be generated by PSVT or atrial fibrillation. The symptoms are similar to those of atrial fibrillation: dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, angina, shortness of breath and fainting [2].

How is tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome treated?

If the bradycardia is not the result of drug therapy (ie, digitalis, beta-blockers), an abnormal sinus node physiology should be considered [2]. Atrial fibrillation associated with tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome should be treated with a permanent pacemaker in combination with drugs [2,10].

What is sick sinus syndrome tachycardia bradycardia syndrome?

Keywords: Artificial cardaic pacing, Atrial fibrillation, Sick sinus syndrome Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome is a variant of sick sinus syndrome (caused by a functional defect of the sinus node, the primary pacemaker of the heart) in which slow and fast arrhythmias alternate [1].

What is atrial fibrillation in the elderly?

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common types of arrhythmias in elderly patients [3]. Prior to an operation, patients with this arrhythmia require treatment and care because of the risk of ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, cardiac failure and embolism [4].

Can you have AFib and bradycardia at the same time?

Tachycardia- bradycardia syndrome can be generated by PSVT or atrial fibrillation. The symptoms are similar to those of atrial fibrillation: dizziness, fatigue, chest pain, angina, shortness of breath and fainting [2].

What is tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome?

Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome. The heart rate alternates between unusually slow and fast rhythms, often with a long pause between heartbeats.

What causes bradycardia tachycardia syndrome?

When there are periods of both slow and fast heart rates (rhythms) the condition often will be called tachy-brady syndrome. Some medicines can make abnormal heart rhythms worse, especially when doses are high. These include digitalis, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and antiarrhythmics.

Is atrial fibrillation tachycardia or bradycardia?

Fast heartbeat (tachycardia) Types of tachycardias include: Atrial fibrillation (A-fib). Chaotic heart signaling causes a rapid, uncoordinated heart rate. The condition may be temporary, but some A-fib episodes may not stop unless treated.

What are the two types of bradycardia?

There are two main types of bradyarrhythmia: sinus node dysfunction and atrioventricular (AV) blocks.

What is the difference between tachycardia and bradycardia?

When the heart beats faster than normal, it is called tachycardia. When the heart beats too slowly, it is called bradycardia. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular and fast heart beat.

How is Tachy-Brady Syndrome diagnosed?

The first step your doctor will take in diagnosing tachy-brady (and in diagnosing many heart problems) is an electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG. This test measures the heart's electrical activity by using small sensors that are temporarily affixed to the chest with an adhesive.

What are the symptoms of tachycardia?

Tachycardia refers to a heart rate that's too fast....Symptoms and complicationsFainting (syncope)Lightheadedness or dizziness.Rapid heartbeat or palpitations.Fluttering in the chest.Bounding pulse.Chest pressure, tightness or pain (angina)Shortness of breath.Fatigue.

What is the best treatment for bradycardia?

The standard treatment for a slow heart rate is to implant a pacemaker. For people with bradycardia, this small device can help restore a normal heartbeat.

What is the difference between tachycardia and atrial fibrillation?

Atrial tachycardia: A rapid heart rhythm that starts in the atria. Atrial fibrillation: A very common irregular heart rhythm. This happens when many impulses begin and spread through the atria, competing for a chance to travel through the AV node. This results in a disorganized rapid and irregular rhythm.

Can AFib cause tachycardia?

Other types of tachycardia are grouped according to the part of the heart responsible for the fast heart rate and the cause. Common types of tachycardia caused by irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) include: Atrial fibrillation (A-fib). This is the most common type of tachycardia.

What is the most common cause of atrial tachycardia?

Atrial tachycardia occurs most commonly in elderly patients and those with other types of heart disease, though it occasionally appears in children, younger people and those with healthy hearts. Causes include: A "stretched" atrium resulting from high blood pressure (hypertension) or from cardiomyopathy.

Case Presentation

A 60-year-old man with a history of remote myocarditis and residual mild left ventricular dysfunction presented with syncope. Before admission, the patient was not taking any regular medications. Medical history was otherwise unremarkable. Examination at presentation was unremarkable, apart from slow atrial fibrillation (AF).

Discussion

This case demonstrates an uncommon cause of syncope in a patient with persistent AF and mild cardiomyopathy. Although paroxysmal infrahisian AV block may be observed in patients with underlying conduction disease, the mechanism of block in this case is fairly unique.

Conclusions

This case illustrates how both mechanisms of overdrive suppression and peeling back of a refractory barrier may combine to induce fatigue of the HPS.

Footnotes

Correspondence to Nicolas Clementy, MD, Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 rue Bélanger, Montréal, Québec H1T1C8, Canada. E-mail nclementy@yahoo.fr

Teaching Rounds in Cardiac Electrophysiology

The purpose of any teaching rounds in medical practice is to encourage discussion and develop insights from clinical events in our patients.

Syncope and Atrial Fibrillation, Not Always What It Seems

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and syncope are common, largely reflective of the frequent occurrence of both these conditions. AF is rarely a sole cause of hemodynamic compromise significant enough to result in loss of consciousness.

Regional Anatomy and Arrhythmia Induction

The authors discuss possible reasons why the patient’s monomorphic VT induced pauses, but pacing near the right ventricular apex at a similar rate did not. Entrance into the conduction system from ventricular stimulation is a complex process and difficult to predict.