Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias

Evaluating dysrhythmias, or arrhythmias, begins with a detailed medical history of symptoms such as palpitations, syncope, previous cardiac issues, exposure to risk factors, and heredity.

Next, a physical examination, which includes monitoring vital signs and identifying abnormal heart sounds, is performed.

Diagnostic tests to evaluate dysrhythmias include the following.

A12-lead ECG helps identify arrhythmias.

A Holter monitor provides continuous 24 to 48-hour recording, while an event monitor records heart rhythms over longer periods, capturing sporadic arrhythmic events.

An electrophysiology study provides detailed cardiac mapping.

Lastly, an echocardiogram helps evaluate heart structure and function.

Hematological studies, including serum electrolytes and cardiac biomarkers, help identify dysrhythmias.

Then, stress testing evaluates cardiac function and exercise tolerance using a treadmill.

Finally, cardiac imaging studies are performed, such as MRI, which evaluates heart tissue, ejection fraction, aneurysms, and coronary artery patency, and CT scan, which assesses heart anatomy and coronary circulation.