Marek Stępniewski

Zaburzenia rytmu serca. Stan wiedzy lekarza praktyka i jej przydatność w pracy farmaceuty
2006-02-16

Cardiac arrhythmias. A viewpoint of a doctor and application of this knowledge to a pharmacist. Cardiac arrhythmias, frequent abnormalities of cardiac revolutions were proven to be the most dangerous complication of cardiac insufficiency. Up to 40% of patients after myocardial infarction die as a result of arrhythmia. Symptomatology of arrhythmias were described to a such a detail that pharmacists could recognize signs and symptoms of this abnormality, administer necessary drugs at their disposal and call for emergency service, often sparing a life of the patient. Hormonal disturbances leading to cardiac arrhythmias were described along with appropriate countermeasures. Microbiological attack on rhythm generating cardiomiocytes was mentioned as a possibly important factor provoking cardiac arrhythmias. Very good outcome of cardiological procedures underwent in the first hour after blocking a coronary artery spares many lives, but prompt revascularisation of coronary artery results in îoxidative burstî leading to a serious damage of cardiomiocytes by a Reactive Oxygen Species. Adequate supply of a patients with free radical scavengers (notably Vit. E and C) may be regarded as a essential role of pharmacist in preparing patients with imminent cardiac infarction to fight with subsequent arrhythmia.