Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death
Ventricular tachyarrhythmias remain a major cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) that leads to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Primary prevention strategies to prevent SCD include promoting a healthy lifestyle, following United States Preventive Service Task Force recommendations related to cardiovascular disease, and controlling comorbid conditions. For a patient experiencing SCA, early cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation should be performed. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators are more effective at secondary prevention compared with drug therapy but medications such as amiodarone, beta-blockers, and sotalol may be helpful adjuncts to reduce the risk of SCD or improve a patient ’s symptoms (eg, palpitations and inappropriate defibrillator shocks).
Source: Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice - Category: Primary Care Authors: Scott Bragg, Brandon Brown, Alexei O. DeCastro Source Type: research
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