Abstract
The human normal heart rhythm occurs when a person has a regular heart beat originated by depolarization of the sinus node, which is normally transmitted through the atria to the AV node, and thereafter normally using the His-Purkinje system to the myocytes of the ventricles. This normal heart beat occurs in a rate which is appropriated to the clinical circumstances of the individual (e.g. faster during exercise than at rest) and is called sinus rhythm. The term arrhythmia comprises a group of heterogeneous conditions with abnormal electrical activity of the heart in origin, rate or both (absence of sinus rhythm). Arrhythmias may be clinically silent (at least during a period) or cause symptoms and signs (palpitations, syncope or even sudden cardiac death). The terms bradycardia and tachycardia refer to a deficit and to an excess of heart rate (compared to normal), respectively.
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Martínez-Rubio, A., Dan, GA. (2020). Clinical Significance and Management of Arrhythmias. In: Martínez-Rubio, A., Tamargo, J., Dan, G . (eds) Antiarrhythmic Drugs. Current Cardiovascular Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34893-9_8
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