title: [Analysis of the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances from a health-care perspective].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Over the last few years, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmias has increased substantially. However, few data on their prevalence exist. Our objectives were to analyze the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in cardiology clinic outpatients and to determine the number of patients with a class-I or -IIa recommendation for electrophysiological studies (EPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances in 2045 patients and determined their prevalence in those seen for the first time. Specific conditions investigated included supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, ischemic disease with an ejection fraction (EF) <30%, second-degree or higher atrioventricular (AV) block, intraventricular block, and sick sinus syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 798 (39%) of all patients and 153 of the 704 (22%) seen for the first time presented with 1 or more of the specified conditions. Their distribution in all patients was: atrial fibrillation, 524 (26%); atrial flutter, 34 (2%); narrow-QRS tachycardia, 58 (3%); ventricular arrhythmias or EF<30% due to ischemic disease or both, 46 (2%); AV block or sinus dysfunction, 68 (3%); intraventricular block, 157 (8%); and other conditions, 4 (0.2%). Some 7% (143/2045) of all patients and 3.5% (25/704) of those seen for the first time had an indication for EPS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  a) Almost 40% of all patients seen in a cardiology outpatient clinic and 1 in 4 of those seen for the first time presented with a cardiac arrhythmia or conduction disturbance; and b) more than 3% of patients seen for the first time had an indication for EPS.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario de Jaén, Jaén, Spain. vazquez89@arrakis.es
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vázquez Ruiz de Castroviejo
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muñoz Bellido
authors.forename: Cristóbal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lozano Cabezas
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramírez Moreno
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guzmán Herrera
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarabini Castellani
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fajardo Pineda
authors.forename: Blas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jiménez Araque
authors.forename: Juan B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Armenteros Lechuga
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pagola Vilardebó
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013318:Stroke Volume