Cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac resynchronisation device leads
THE CONTEXT
The passage defines cardiac arrhythmias and describes lead placement and function in a biventricular pacemaker and defibrillator.
Definition and underlying abnormalities
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A cardiac arrhythmia is a disturbance of the electrical rhythm of the heart.
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Arrhythmias often reflect structural heart disease, but abnormal conduction or depolarisation can also produce arrhythmias in an otherwise healthy heart.
Lead placement and function
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The right ventricular lead lies at the ventricular apex and provides both pacing and defibrillation.
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The left ventricular lead is placed via the coronary sinus and provides pacing only.
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The right atrial lead is placed in the right atrial appendage and provides pacing only.