Tag: Antiarrhythmics

According to several studies, a significant number of patients presenting with second- or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block are receiving medications known to impair cardiac conduction. This highlights the critical importance of identifying and understanding what medications cause AV block, especially for individuals with underlying heart conditions.

Over 150,000 patients in the United States undergo catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AFib) each year. A crucial part of preparing for the procedure involves knowing what medications should be stopped before ablation to ensure safety and success.

According to clinical studies, mexiletine significantly inhibits the metabolism of caffeine, leading to a 30-50% decrease in its elimination. Understanding **what drugs interact with mexiletine** is crucial for patients to manage potential side effects and maintain the medication's effectiveness.

According to the American Heart Association, hundreds of thousands of cardiac ablation procedures are performed each year. This extensive guide details what medications are given for ablation procedures to manage everything from procedural comfort to long-term recovery and reduced complication risk.

The safety of antiarrhythmic drugs like flecainide and sotalol is highly dependent on a patient's underlying cardiac health, not a universal standard. A history of structural heart disease, in particular, significantly impacts which medication is the safer choice for managing arrhythmia. This critical distinction is a cornerstone of cardiology, guiding physicians in deciding which is safer, flecainide or sotalol, on a case-by-case basis.

In the United States, flecainide was the 223rd most commonly prescribed medication in 2023, with over 1 million prescriptions. Many patients wonder, **can you take flecainide and bisoprolol together?** This combination is often prescribed, but requires careful medical supervision.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for shock-refractory cardiac arrest, either amiodarone or lidocaine can be used, but generally as alternatives, not concurrently. The primary reason for this caution is a significant and dangerous drug-drug interaction that makes combining amiodarone and lidocaine a high-risk proposition for most patients.

First synthesized in 1908, phenytoin was approved by the FDA in 1939 and is primarily a hydantoin-derivative anticonvulsant. This medication, known by brand names such as Dilantin, is used to control and prevent various types of seizures by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. While its use as a primary anti-epileptic has shifted, understanding what class of drug is phenytoin is crucial for clinical practice.

A significant number of hospitalizations for symptomatic bradycardia, a heart rate below 60 beats per minute, are linked to the use or recent initiation of certain medications, particularly in older adults. Understanding precisely **what medications cause low heart rate** is crucial for patients and clinicians to mitigate risks and ensure safe treatment.

In up to 25% of patients with liver cirrhosis, the medical abbreviation PVT signifies Portal Vein Thrombosis, a serious blood clot in the liver's main vein. So, what does PVT stand for in medical terms? The answer depends on the clinical context.