Sick Sinus Syndrome

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS)—also known as sinus node dysfunction—is a term used to describe a number of different abnormalities in the heart rhythm (known as arrhythmias). Typically, the arrhythmias associated with sick sinus syndrome involve persistent bradycardia with intermittent tachyarrhythmias. 

Electrocardiogram

The electrocardiogram (ECG) records the electrical signals of the heart through electrodes that are attached to the chest and limbs. ECG patterns that indicate sick sinus syndrome include sinus bradycardia (heart rate < 40 bpm), sinus pauses (sudden pauses of the sinus node shorter than 2–3 seconds), and sinus arrest (sudden pauses of the sinus node longer than 2–3 seconds). Some individuals with sick sinus syndrome may show other arrhythmia patterns on ECG. For instance, common findings include atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ectopic atrial tachycardia, sinus node reentrant tachycardia, and tachycardia-bradycardia (the heart rate may alternate between fast and slow, usually with a long pause between each heartbeat).

Holter monitor

Since the manifestations of sick sinus syndrome are transient, the basic ECG may not reveal abnormal heart rhythms. For individuals whose symptoms are infrequent, physicians may order a Holter Monitor, which is a portable ECG that records a person’s heart beat and heart rhythm continuously for 24 to 72 hours. 

Loop recorders

Some individuals may need an implantable monitor called a loop recorder. Loop recorders are implanted under the skin of a person’s chest and are used for continuous, long term monitoring of the heart's electrical signals. They may be worn for months or years at a time. The presence of an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) triggers loop recorders to start automatically recording. They can also be triggered manually by the individual when they feel symptoms.

Electrophysiologic testing

In some cases, both ECG and Holter monitoring may fail to catch any arrhythmias that indicate sick sinus syndrome. In these cases, physicians may request intracardiac electrophysiologic testing. This minimally-invasive procedure consists of the introduction of catheters to a peripheral blood vessel that then travel all the way to the heart. Electrophysiologic testing allows the recording of the heart’s electrical activity from within, along with the inducement of arrhythmias in a safe environment to record and study them. Electrophysiologic testing, however, is not routinely performed. 

Laboratory tests

There are no specific laboratory tests for the diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome. However, metabolic imbalances can cause sick sinus syndrome; for instance, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and hypoxia are all associated with SSS.

The treatment of sick sinus syndrome depends on the underlying cause and symptoms, and both artificial pacemakers and medications are used in the course of treatment. 

Artificial pacemaker 

For symptomatic individuals, the treatment of choice is usually an artificial pacemaker, which is a small electronic device implanted under the skin near the clavicle during a minor surgical procedure, with pacer leads that extend to the heart. The pacemaker is programmed to pace the heart as needed to keep it beating. Most individuals with sick sinus syndrome benefit from dual chamber pacemakers, in which one lead paces the atria and one lead paces the ventricles. Indications for an artificial pacemaker include chronotropic incompetence, sinus node dysfunction (caused by medications that are needed to treat another medical condition), symptomatic bradycardia, and asymptomatic severe bradycardia (heart rate < 40 bpm). Potential complications from the implantation of an artificial pacemaker can include bruising, swelling, or infection in the surgical area. 

Medications 

Individuals with symptoms or hemodynamic compromise may be prescribed medications like atropine, while those who are at greater risk of having a stroke may get blood-thinning medications like warfarin (Coumadin).