A design approach is a general philosophy that may or may not include a guide for specific methods. Some are to guide the overall goal of the design. Other approaches are to guide the tendencies of the designer. A combination of approaches may be used if they don't conflict.
Bradycardia can be caused by: 1  Changes in the heart that are the result of aging. 2  Diseases that damage the heart's electrical system. These include coronary artery disease, heart attack, and infections such as endocarditis and myocarditis. 3  Conditions that can slow electrical impulses through the heart.
TREATMENTAsymptomatic Patients Can Wait The treatment of bradycardia depends on the stabil-ity of the patient. Signs and symptoms of inadequatetissue perfusion, including mental status changes, hypo-tension, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, indicateinstability. Prompt treatment is warranted in thesepatients (Box 12-2). In stable patients, the treatmentdepends on the etiology of the bradycardia. For stablesick sinus syndrome, the patient can be closely moni-tored for further decompensation. These patients usu-ally require permanent pacemaker placement by acardiologist in the cath lab.