Sick sinus syndrome medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Medical Therapy
Bradyarrhythmias are well controlled with pacemakers, while tachyarrhythmias respond well to medical therapy. However, because both bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias may be present, drugs to control tachyarrhythmia may exacerbate bradyarrhythmia. Therefore, a pacemaker is implanted before drug therapy is begun for the tachyarrhythmia.
In patients with bradyarrhythmias, there are no medications that can increase the heart rate and therefore will require pacemaker implantation. This will alleviate heart rates that are too slow or prolonged pauses in patients with SSS. In patients with bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome, pacemaker implantation with medications to slow the heart rate may be required. Persons suffering from SSS may have other conditions increasing their risk of stroke, such as atrial fibrillation, and should thus be treated with anticoagulants. [1]
Contraindicated medications
Sick sinus syndrome is considered an absolute contraindication to the use of the following medications:
References
- ↑ Gregoratos G (2003). "Cardiology patient pages. Sick sinus syndrome". Circulation. 108 (20): e143–4. doi:10.1161/01.CIR.0000102938.55119.EC. PMID 14623796.