SEVERE CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 79 CASES AT IBN ROCHD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Cardiac arrhythmias are a frequent reason for admission to emergency departments and may lead to severe hemodynamic complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary characteristics of severe cardiac arrhythmias admitted to the emergency department of Ibn Rochd University Hospital.This retrospective study included 79 cases of severe cardiac arrhythmias collected over a six-month period. Patients older than 60 years represented the most affected age group (45.8%), with a female predominance accounting for 54.2% of admissions.Atrial fibrillation was the most frequent arrhythmia (43.8%), followed by ventricular tachycardia (20.8%) and supraventricular tachycardia (27%). The main presenting symptoms were dyspnea and palpitations. Hypertension was the most common underlying condition (56.3%), often associated with structural heart disease (52.1%).Hemodynamic instability was observed in 45.8% of patients at admission. Initial management was mainly based on oxygen therapy, anticoagulation, and antiarrhythmic drugs, with amiodarone being the most commonly used antiarrhythmic (86.7%). Electrical cardioversion was performed initially in 33.3% of cases.Clinical outcomes were favorable in most patients, with stabilization in 58.3% and improvement in 25% of cases. However, clinical deterioration occurred in 16.7% of patients, all of whom died.These results confirm the predominance of atrial fibrillation among severe arrhythmias admitted to the emergency department and highlight the importance of rapid and appropriate management.