| Theme |
Death-dealing arrhythmia -- diagnosis, treatment and prevention |
| Title |
Bradycardia in dialysis patients |
| Author |
Takashi Kitani |
Division of Nephrology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine |
| Author |
Tetsuro Kusaba |
Division of Nephrology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine |
| Author |
Keiichi Tamagaki |
Division of Nephrology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
The prevalence of arrhythmias in hemodialysis patients is increasing with the aging of the population and cardiac diseases are frequently complicated among this population. Bradycardia is less frequently observed compared with tachycardia, and the clinical features of arrhythmia differ between hemodialysis patients and the general population. Sudden bradycardia accompanied with severe hypotension is sometimes observed during hemodialysis. In addition, bradycardia caused by hyperkalemia or by inappropriate drug administration sometimes occurs in patients with severe renal insufficiency. Once bradycardia is detected on ECG, the severity of arrhythmia should be assessed and careful investigations for possible latent or underlying cardiac diseases are also needed. In case of critical bradycardia, immediate consultation with a cardiologist is required. |