This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Management of benign ventricular extrasystoles

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Usually, reassurance and explanation is all that is required.

Precipitating factors should be avoided (and underlying causes should be treated). For example:

  • excess coffee
  • excess alcohol
  • smoking
  • hypokalaemia
  • hyperthyroidism

If a patient is symptomatic and demanding therapy, then it must be explained that benefits may not outweigh the risks.

If treatment of ventricular extrasystoles is indicated then seek specialist advice. Pharmacological agents used in the management of this condition include:

  • beta-blockers
  • phenytoin - of all the class I anti-arrhythmics is the only one to promote AVN conduction. Phenytoin is contraindicated in second or third degree heart block.
  • amiodarone
  • lignocaine (lidocaine)
  • mexiletine

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page