investigations
Last reviewed 09/2021
Investigations include:
- U+Es, calcium, glucose, thyroid function
- ECG - an exercise ECG or 24 hour tape may be required
Echocardiogram - this is required if there are unexplained arrhythmias in a patient who is under 50 years of age. Note that lesions such as mitral stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive myopathy may cause atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias respectively.
Cardiac catheterization - once documented, the origin of a ventricular arrhythmia may be demonstrated by insertion of multiple leads into the heart. Arrhythmias may then be stimulated and various drugs tested to see their effect on the generated arrhythmia.