Ventricular ectopic beats

Extract

• A ventricular ectopic beat refers to an extra heartbeat originating from the left or the right ventricle. QRS complex is wide and different from that during normal rhythm.
• The most important factor when investigating the aetiology of ventricular ectopic beats (VEs) is to establish the possible presence of structural heart disease. Should structural heart disease be identified, treatment should firstly be aimed towards the management of this condition and only secondarily towards the arrhythmia itself.
• VEs of a healthy heart are a benign phenomenon, and the need for treatment depends on the sensations caused by the VEs. The mere knowledge that the condition is benign and the symptoms are not caused by a heart disease is enough to reassure most patients.
• However, frequent VEs associated with heart disease (e.g. recent myocardial infarction, heart failure) and hereditary ion-channel disorders (e.g. long QT syndrome, polymorphic catecholamine-sensitive ventricular tachycardia) may be predictive of serious arrhythmias and require the involvement of a cardiologist.

Read full article of Ventricular ectopic beats

Search terms

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents, Arrhythmia, Cardiac Complexes, Premature, Cardiology, I49.3, Internal medicine, Palpitation, Syncope, VEB, VPB, VPC, Ventricular Premature Complexes, Ventricular ectopic beats