Final answer:
1C agents, a class of antiarrhythmic drugs, can cause sick sinus syndrome by affecting the heart's conduction system, leading to bradycardia and disruption of the sinus node. Flecainide is an example of a 1C agent. Development of sick sinus syndrome can depend on multiple factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Agents that cause sick sinus syndrome are thought to do so by their effect on the conduction system of the heart. Specifically, 1C agents, which are a class of antiarrhythmic drugs, can slow down the electrical signals within the atria and the atrioventricular (AV) node. This can result in bradycardia (a slow heart rate) and can disrupt the normal functioning of the sinus node, which is responsible for generating the heart's electrical impulses.
One example of a 1C agent is flecainide, which is commonly used to treat certain types of irregular heart rhythms. While effective for some patients, it can also have the side effect of causing sick sinus syndrome.
It's important to note that not all patients who take 1C agents will develop sick sinus syndrome. Factors such as the dosage of the medication, the patient's underlying heart health, and individual susceptibility can all play a role in determining whether or not a person develops this condition.