Arrhythmias in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a condition associated with raised right heart pressures and subsequent remodelling of the right atrium and ventricle with relative preservation of left heart function. There is a high incidence of arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia. Despite recent advances in medical therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension arrhythmias continue to have a high morbidity and mortality. Treatment includes medical therapy, cardioversion and catheter ablation.