Disease Indications

Arrhythmia

“Arrhythmias are erratic heartbeats caused by irregular electrical impulses that regulate the heart’s rate and rhythm.” (Cardiome Pharma Corp, 2007). Arrhythmias decrease the pumping efficiency of the heart and can occur when: the natural pacemaker is out of sync, the conduction pathway is interrupted, or another part of the heart takes over as the pacemaker (American Heart Association, 2007b; Wikipedia, 2007b). Currently arrhythmias affect 7 million people worldwide (Cardiome Pharma Corp, 2007).

Normal heart rate is between 60-100 bpm at rest (American Heart Association, 2007b). A heart rate that is less than 60 bpm is referred to as bradycardia, while a heart beat that is very rapid is referred to as tachycardia (American Heart Association, 2007b). Arrhthmias can occur in either the atria or the ventricles, and include: atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation (Cardiome Pharma Corp, 2007).

AF refers to a “quivering” of the heart, recorded at 600-1000 bpm (Cardiome Pharma Corp, 2007). Symptoms may be nonexistent or include: palpitations, fainting, chest pain, or heart failure (Wikipedia, 2007a). AF is usually associated with heart disease and increases the risk of blood clots that may lead to a stroke (Cardiome Pharma Corp, 2007; Wikipedia, 2007a).

Treatment for AF is either pharmacological or electrocardioverting (Cardiome Pharma Corp, 2007). Both current treatments have their drawbacks though, electrocardioconverting or electroshocking is an uncomfortable procedure; while drugs currently on the market increase the risk for other arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia which can be fatal (Cardiome Pharma Corp, 2007; Wikipedia, 2007a). Other options include, a pacemaker or surgery but these are complicated, expensive, and may cause heart damage (Cardiome Pharma Corp, 2007).