PVCs in the elderly: when to start worrying.
Recent studies using electrophysiologic testing have established that effective antiarrhythmic therapy does indeed prolong survival in the high-risk group of survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Ideally, the initial antiarrhythmic agent is selected on the basis of its efficacy, side effects, ease of administration, cost, and interaction with other medications. To a large extent, however, selection remains empiric. In patients without QT prolongation, long-acting procainamide or quinidine are usually tried first.
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Schmidt
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Katz
D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005117:Cardiac Complexes, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000517:prevention & control; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000150:complications
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone