Study note

Pathological causes of sinus rate changes and features of sinoatrial disease

THE CONTEXT
Sinus bradycardia and sinus tachycardia have distinct listed pathological causes. Sinoatrial disease can produce several bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias and conduction abnormalities.

Causes of sinus bradycardia

•
Cardiac causes include myocardial infarction and sinus node disease, also called sick sinus syndrome.
•
Other causes include hypothermia, hypothyroidism, cholestatic jaundice and raised intracranial pressure.
•
Listed causative drugs are beta-blockers, digoxin and verapamil.

Causes of sinus tachycardia

•
Listed causes include anxiety, fever, anaemia and heart failure.
•
Endocrine causes include thyrotoxicosis and phaeochromocytoma.
•
Beta-agonists are listed as a drug cause.

Common features of sinoatrial disease

•
Bradycardic features include sinus bradycardia and sinoatrial block, described as sinus arrest.
•
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and paroxysmal atrial tachycardia may occur.
•
Atrioventricular block is also a common feature.
Explore this chapter
NEETx
Learn. Practise. Remember.