Medication Summary
Currently, no medications are routinely used to treat symptomatic sinus node dysfunction (SND). Virtually most medications are ineffective over the long term, and many demonstrate lack of efficacy from tachyphylaxis. Nonetheless, acute treatment with the anticholinergic agent atropine and/or the adrenergic agonist isoproterenol may be warranted. Oral analogues of these drugs (eg, propantheline and orciprenaline [metaproterenol], respectively) are not effective on a long-term basis.
Anticholinergic Agents
Class Summary
Atropine, by vagolytic effect, increases the heart rate. Although it may also be used for the initial treatment of chronic arrhythmias, cardiac pacing is preferred for long-term control.
Atropine
Atropine increases the heart rate through vagolytic effects, causing an increase in cardiac output.
Beta1/Beta2 Adrenergic Agonists
Class Summary
When given systemically, isoproterenol stimulates beta receptors in the heart, which produces positive inotropic and chronotropic effects. This results in increased cardiac output.
Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
Isoproterenol has sympathomimetic effects; specifically, beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist activity.
Cardiovascular, Other
Class Summary
It may be necessary to use antiarrhythmic agents for concomitant tachyarrhythmia.
Quinidine
Quinidine maintains normal heart rhythm following cardioversion of atrial fibrillation or flutter. It depresses myocardial excitability and conduction velocity. Control the ventricular rate and CHF (if present) with digoxin or calcium channel blockers before the administration of quinidine.
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This 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is from an asymptomatic girl aged 10 years, which was brought to our attention because of the irregularity of the P-P intervals. This ECG shows sinus arrhythmia at a rate of 65-75 beats per minute. The P waves all originate from the sinus node (SN) because they have a positive axis (upright) in leads I, II, and aVF. The PR interval is 104ms, and the QRS is narrow at 86ms, with a normal axis of 64°. The corrected QT (QTc) interval measures 402ms. Therefore, this is a normal ECG.
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Below is an electrocardiogram (ECG) of a girl aged 2 years who was referred to the clinic by a pediatrician for evaluation of a heart murmur. This ECG shows atrial rhythm originating most likely from the lower left atrium (P waves are inverted in lead I and are positive in II and aVF, with a frontal axis of 124°). The PR interval measures 113 ms, and the QRS is narrow at 90 ms. Right ventricular (RV) conduction delay is shown and is best seen in the precordial leads V1 and V2. The QRS frontal axis shows right axis deviation (reference range for a child aged 2 years is 0-110°). The patient does not have RV hypertrophy by voltage criteria. The inverted T waves in V1 are a normal finding at this age. An echocardiogram showed a moderately sized atrial septal defect. Nonsinus atrial rhythm is not a synonym of sinus node dysfunction.
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This is a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from a boy aged 12 years with a history of syncope. This patient was healthy until 1 month earlier, when he started to experience episodes of lightheadedness. The ECG shows sinus arrhythmia (bradycardia) at a rate of 50-79 beats per minute, with a PR interval of 136 ms. Two junctional escape beats are present after a prolonged pause. The QRS is narrow at 85 ms, with a normal frontal axis of 70°. The corrected QT interval (QTc) is 411 ms. A later electrophysiologic study showed prolonged sinus node recovery time (SNRT) and sinoatrial conduction time (SACT). Because of the patient's symptoms and his sinus node (SN) dysfunction, he received an atrial pacemaker. If this 12-lead ECG had been recorded from an asymptomatic patient, the findings would be considered within normal limits and no further workup would be indicated. In this case, the lightheadedness and, ultimately, the syncope defined sick sinus syndrome, with the patient requiring pacemaker therapy.
