Читать книгу Understanding Anatomy and Physiology in Nursing - John Knight - Страница 100

The term cardiac arrhythmia is used to describe any changes to the transmission of action potentials through the cardiac conductive system that leads to an abnormal heart rhythm or heart rate. Many arrhythmias such as simple ectopic beats are benign with no major physiological effects, while others may result in a heart that pumps blood less effectively, leading to a reduction in cardiac output. In the most severe arrhythmias cardiac output may cease completely, leading to sudden cardiac death.