Inherited arrhythmias: considerations for nurses

Abstract

This article is the third instalment of the British Journal of Cardiac Nursing’s series on cardiac genetic concepts. Inherited arrhythmias are a group of conditions that affect the cardiac electrical system, typically resulting from changes in the way sodium, potassium or calcium ions are handled in the cell. Inherited arrhythmias can cause sudden cardiac death, especially in people who are undiagnosed and untreated. Most inherited arrhythmias are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. This article provides an overview of the aetiology, diagnosis, risk-management and treatment of patients with inherited arrhythmias at different ages and stages of life. The focus will be on inherited arrhythmias, specifically long QT, Brugada and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. There will be a brief mention of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.