MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 25, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A

Premature Ventricular Contractions (cont.)

What are the treatments for premature ventricular contractions?

The reasons for treating premature ventricular contractions are:

  1. to relieve symptoms of palpitation;

  2. to treat conditions that cause premature ventricular contractions since many conditions that cause premature ventricular contractions are potentially life threatening; and

  3. to prevent ventricular tachycardia and sudden death.

In healthy individuals without heart disease, premature ventricular contractions need no treatment. For relief of palpitations, one may consider the following measures:

  • stop alcohol and caffeine intake;

  • stop over-the-counter nasal decongestants that may contain adrenaline such as medications containing pseudoephedrine (certain weight loss supplements may aggravate premature ventricular contractions, and should never be used without consulting with one's physician);

  • stop drug abuse such as amphetamines, cocaine; and

  • stop cigarette smoking.

Conditions that can cause premature ventricular contractions can also be potentiality life-threatening. These conditions are often treated in hospital-monitored beds. Monitored beds are beds (or rooms) that are equipped to record the patients' heart rhythm continuously. Patients are also given intravenous medications. These conditions are:

  • low potassium or magnesium levels (hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia) - potassium and magnesium can be given intravenously;

  • digoxin and aminophylline toxicity: medications can be given to counteract drug toxicity;

  • acute heart attack: medications and procedures (coronary angiogram and PTCA) are performed urgently to open blocked coronary arteries to restore blood supply to the heart muscle; and

  • low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia): oxygen can be given nasally, and medications can be given to treat the underlying lung diseases.

Anti-arrhythmia medications

Anti-arrhythmia medications are used to control premature ventricular contractions with the goal of preventing ventricular tachycardias, ventricular fibrillations, and sudden death. Examples of anti-arrhythmia medications include beta-blockers, procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan-SR, Procanbid), amiodarone (Cordarone), and several others. Unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence that suppressing premature ventricular contractions with anti-arrhythmic medications prevent ventricular tachycardias, ventricular fibrillations, and sudden death.

Some anti-arrhythmia medications actually can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Thus anti-arrhythmic medications are only prescribed cautiously in patients at high risk of developing ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation; and usually initially in the hospital setting. This does not apply to beta-blockers, which are prescribed to many heart patients for many reasons, and not only do not accelerate arrhythmias, but usually decrease premature ventricular contractions. In many patients with premature ventricular contractions and significant underlying cardiac disease, or with severe symptoms, electrophysiology testing (EP) may be recommended. This is a test performed with catheters to see if a patient is at risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, which are treated with either medications or sometimes tiny implantable defibrillators.


Last Editorial Review: 10/29/2009


Premature Ventricular Contractions - Symptoms Experienced

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe the symptoms of your premature ventricular contractions.

Comment submissions for this question have ended. Patient Discussions FAQs
See 21 Viewer Comments

View Comments


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Beta Blockers - Learn more about Beta Blockers, a drug that treats angina and other heart rhythm disorders, migraines, high blood pressure, panic attacks, and tremors. Generic and brand names are included in the article.
  • Electrolytes - Read about blood electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicorbonate) and the effects of electrolyte imbalances like kidney failure, low blood pressure, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia.
  • Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.

Latest Medical News


Heart Health

Get the latest treatment options.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain












Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.