Labelled sketch of an already-implanted cardioverter-defibrillator The main aim when treating people with<unk>  is to reduce the risk of sudden death due to serious abnormal heart rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation or polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. While some with this condition are at high risk of serious heart rhythm disturbances, others are at much lower risk, meaning that some may require more intensive treatment than others. In addition to treating the person who has<unk> , it is often important to investigate members of their immediate family to see if they too carry the condition. Lifestyle The first line of treatment, suitable for all people with<unk>  regardless of their risk of arrhythmias, is lifestyle advice. People should be advised to recognise and avoid things that may increase the risk of serious arrhythmias. These include avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, avoiding certain medications, and treating fever promptly with paracetamol. Although the abnormal heart rhythms seen in<unk>  are generally more likely to occur at rest or even during sleep, some people with<unk>  experience arrhythmias during strenuous exercise. Some physicians may therefore advise people with<unk>  that while gentle exercise is helpful, very strenuous exercise should be avoided. Implantable defibrillator In people felt to be at higher risk of sudden cardiac death, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be recommended. These small devices implanted under the skin continuously monitor the heart rhythm. If the device detects a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia it can give the heart a small electric shock, stunning the heart back into a normal rhythm. An ICD can also function as a pacemaker, preventing abnormally slow heart rates that can also occur in people with<unk> . Implanting an ICD is a relatively low-risk procedure and is frequently performed as a day case under local anaesthetic. However, complications such as infection, bleeding or unnecessary shocks can occur, which can sometimes be serious. Because of the small risk associated with implanting an ICD, as well as the cost of the devices, ICDs are not recommended for all people with<unk>  but are instead reserved for people deemed at higher risk of sudden cardiac death. Medication Quinidine is an antiarrhythmic drug that may reduce the chance of serious abnormal heart rhythms occurring in some people with<unk> . It is most frequently used in people with<unk>  who have an ICD and have experienced several episodes of life-threatening arrhythmias, but may also be used in people at high risk of arrhythmias but in whom an ICD is not appropriate. Isoprenaline, a drug that has similarities with adrenaline, can be used in an emergency for people with<unk>  who are having frequent repeated life-threatening arrhythmias, known as an "electrical storm". This drug must be given as a continuous infusion into a vein and therefore is not suitable for long-term use. Catheter ablation A further treatment option for people with<unk>  is radiofrequency catheter ablation. In this procedure, wires are passed through a vein in the leg into the heart, or through a small hole underneath the sternum. These wires are used to find the area of the heart responsible for initiating the arrhythmias. The tip of one of these wires is used to make a series of tiny burns, intentionally damaging the area of abnormal heart muscle that has been causing the problem. Current recommendations suggest that this treatment should be reserved for those with<unk>  who have had repeated shocks from an ICD.
Brugada syndrome
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
Pacak–Zhuang syndrome
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Woodhouse–Sakati syndrome
Romano–Ward syndrome
Pascual-Castroviejo syndrome type 1
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia