Over the past few decades several new medicines were developed which can suppress, control or even eliminate heart rhythm irregularities. Unexpectedly, this study found that medicines which were the most likely to eliminate dysrhythmias in patients following a heart attack also increased the likelihood of causing the heart to stop beating altogether. Patients on the most effective medications, which produced the most regular heart rhythm, were more likely to die than those not treated for their dysrhythmias. These results greatly tempered medical enthusiasm for treating all rhythm irregularities simply because they exist.
Physicians are careful to evaluate dysrhythmias before advising treatment.
The next step is to correct underlying medical conditions, or eliminate chemicals or drugs, which may be contributing to the rhythm disturbance. Remaining dysrhythmias may require various treatments, or no treatment at all. Minor irregularities in an otherwise normal heart may be left untreated. On the other hand, an individual with a dangerously slow heart rate may require a pacemaker, which sets a more acceptable pace for the heartbeat. Patients with potentially life-threatening runaway rhythms called ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia may receive an implantable electric defibrillator device, which automatically shocks the heart back into normal rhythm if it detects this problem.