The ectopic rhythm produced in the ventricles of the heart is also called idioventricular. At the same time, the ventricles begin to contract very slowly. The average speed reaches 40 beats per minute. Most often, an idioventricular rhythm occurs against the background of a disorder in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system or impaired automatism.
The essence of pathology
In a healthy person, there is only one option for transmitting nerve impulses to a sequential reduction. A kind of starting point is the ear of the right atrium. Here is the sinus node. Passing through Purkinje fibers and His bundle, the nerve impulse reaches the fibers of the ventricles.
For some reason, the sinus node may lose its ability to generate excitations for contraction. In this case, the excitatory process in the heart is modified. To maintain the functioning of the main muscle of the body, compensatory ectopic rhythms arise. In translation, the term "ectopia" implies what appeared in the wrong place.
Main reasons
The idioventricular rhythm is formed due to the disturbance of the sinus node. The functioning of the latter, in turn, is disrupted due to the following diseases:
- myocardial inflammation;
- ischemia and oxygen starvation of the heart muscle fibers developing against its background;
- cardiosclerosis.
In addition to pathological changes in the heart muscle, an idioventricular rhythm can occur due to hormonal imbalance in the body, disorders of the adrenal gland or thyroid.
Diagnostic Methods
The most informative method for diagnosing pathology is an electrocardiogram. When an idioventricular rhythm appears on the ECG, the doctor may prescribe a number of additional examinations. Such a measure is necessary to confirm the preliminary diagnosis and choose the right course of therapy. Among additional diagnostic methods, echocardiography and daily monitoring by Holter should be highlighted.
Treatment methods
In the case of ectopic arrhythmia, the patient may not feel discomfort or serious health problems. In this situation, specific therapy is not required.
Treatment of idioventricular rhythm with moderate extrasystole is reduced to taking sedative drugs and adaptogens to strengthen the heart muscle. In the presence of severe bradycardia, Atropine and ginseng tincture are prescribed. When low heart rate is complicated by MES attacks, an operation to implant a pacemaker is recommended. This device allows you to normalize the myocardium, stop the ectopic foci of excitation.
When there is a rapid idioventricular rhythm, for example, against the background of tachycardia or atrial flutter, the patient needs emergency care. For this, a 4% potassium chloride solution is administered intravenously. Subsequent therapy comes down to taking beta blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs. It is worth noting that all medicines are selected individually, taking into account the clinical picture of the patient.
Prognosis for recovery
The final prognosis for each patient can only be given by the attending physician. In this case, he must necessarily take into account the cause of the disorder and its nature. For example, when in addition to the idioventricular rhythm, there are no other cardiological disorders, the prognosis is favorable. Otherwise, the course of therapy is supplemented by the treatment of concomitant health problems.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the disorder described in the article does not tolerate neglect by the patient. If you see a doctor in a timely manner, you can significantly improve the prognosis for recovery.