Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments

The majority of sudden cardiac deaths are thought to be secondary to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation and occur most often when there is no prior diagnosis of heart disease.

Risk determination is difficult because of the number of variables that must be considered. The prognosis is generally determined by the underlying heart disease. While defibrillation may restore a normal rhythm, there remains a high risk of recurrence.

When the driver has a history of arrhythmia or uses an antiarrhythmia device, as a medical examiner, you should consider the following:

• Is the underlying heart disease disqualifying?
• What is the risk for sudden death?
• What is the risk for cerebral hypoperfusion and loss of consciousness?