ventricular extrasystoles after myocardial infarction

Last reviewed 01/2018

Ventricular extrasystoles are:

  • the most common arrhythmias after myocardial infarction and are associated with an increased risk of mortality.
  • attempts to improve survival by suppression of ectopic activity have not been successful.
  • Beta blockers seem better than class 1 antiarrhythmics in improving survival although the ectopics may not be suppressed.

Reference:

  • The Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial(CAST) Investigators (1989). New Engl J Med, 321, 406-8.
  • The Norwegian Multicenter Study Group (1981). NEJM, 304, 801-7.