Sick Sinus Syndrome - Symptoms and Treatment

Sick Sinus Syndrome is a collective term for ARRHYTHMIA disorders that arise from dysfunction of the SINOATRIAL (SA) NODE and the electrical conduction network within the HEART. The SA node may stop functioning, or there may be a disruption in the pathway for the electrical impulses the SA node generates. Generally sick sinus syndrome results in bradycardia (slow HEART RATE). Key symptoms include fatigue and SYNCOPE (fainting). Sick sinus syndrome may also be present without symptoms, in which case it does not usually require treatment. ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG) reveals the abnormal electrical pacing impulses and provides the diagnosis. Treatment is nearly always an implantable PACEMAKER to maintain an adequate heart rate.

See also ATRIOVENTRICULAR (AV) NODE; BUNDLE BRANCH; BUNDLE BRANCH BLOCK; LONG QT SYNDROME (LQTS); WOLFF-PARKINSON-WHITE SYNDROME.

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