[Cardiac arrhythmias in women].

There exist gender differences in the frequency of the various forms of cardiac arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation is more common in man in whom it is often a complication of coronary heart disease. Numerous elderly women however present with this rhythm disorder which is often a complication of congestive heart failure or valvular heart disease. Atrial fibrillation carries a high risk of cerebro-vascular embolic accident in female. Symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia and the long QT syndrome, inherited or acquired, are more frequent among women. The latter are also particularly susceptible to develop torsade de pointe as a consequence of therapy with drugs interfering with the potassium ion channels. Sudden cardiac death is more frequent in men than in women even when the latter suffer from coronary heart disease. Sudden cardiac death without structural heart disease is however more frequently seen in women. Nulliparity, tobacco use and alcoholism might be specific risk factors for sudden cardiac death in female. Cardiac arrhythmias may be seen during pregnancy. New onset or aggravated supraventricular tachycardia may be encountered during that period. Ventricular tachycardia in the absence of structural heart disease may also be seen during pregnancy. The treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in pregnant woman remains a challenge for the practising cardiologist.