title: The ambulatory patient with ectopic beats and episodic tachyarrhythmias.
abstract: Ventricular ectopic activity in a young person with an otherwise normal heart usually requires no treatment. In older patients, 10 or more ectopic beats per minute, multiform beats and ectopy occurring close to the preceding beat are indications for drug control. Exercise-induced ectopic beats may respond to physical training. Three or more consecutive ventricular ectopic beats constitute ventricular tachycardia, which requires prevention. Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, when paroxysmal, may be aborted by maneuvers to enhance vagal tone. When they are frequent, treatment is required.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004554:Electric Countershock; D006327:Heart Block / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011342:Procainamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011802:Quinidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D008012:Lidocaine; D011433:Propranolol; D011802:Quinidine; D011342:Procainamide