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Ectopic heartbeat - Treatment

Alternative Names

PVB (premature ventricular beat); Premature ventricular contraction; Premature beats; PVC (premature ventricular contraction); Extrasystole

Treatment:

Most ectopic heartbeats do not require treatment. The condition is treated if your symptoms are severe or if the extra beats occur very frequently.

An underlying cause, if discovered, may also require treatment.

Expectations (prognosis):

Ectopic heartbeats are generally benign, requiring no treatment. Occasionally, they may indicate an increased risk for other cardiac arrhythmias.

Complications:

Ventricular tachycardia (occasionally)
Other arrhythmias (occasionally)

Note: There usually are no complications.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have persistent palpitations, or palpitations with chest pain or other symptoms.

Also call your health care provider if you have this condition and your symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment.

Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Reviewed last on: 6/1/2010
Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Director, Northwestern Clinic Echocardiography Lab, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Olgin JE. Approach to the patient with suspected arrhythmias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap. 61.

Toth PP, Shammas NW, Dippel EJ, Foreman B. Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2007:chap. 39.

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