What Does Ventricular Premature Contraction Mean?

Ventricular premature contraction, also known as ventricular extrasystole, is a manifestation of abnormal ventricular contraction. Most ventricular premature contractions are relatively harmless. If the frequency is low within 24 hours and there are no symptoms, no special intervention is generally required. However, if there are more than 10,000 occurrences within 24 hours, radiofrequency ablation surgery may be necessary for treatment. In cases where ventricular tachycardia occurs in addition to ventricular premature contractions, an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) may be implanted for treatment.

Ventricular premature contraction, correctly referred to as cardiac premature contraction, is an early ectopic heartbeat. It can be classified into four types based on its origin: sinus, atrial, atrioventricular junctional, and ventricular. Among them, ventricular premature contractions are the most common, followed by atrial, and sinus premature contractions are rare. Premature contractions are common ectopic arrhythmias that can occur on the basis of sinus or ectopic (such as atrial fibrillation) rhythms. They can occur occasionally or frequently, irregularly or regularly after every normal beat or several normal beats, forming bigeminy or triplet rhythm.

Premature contractions can occur in normal individuals, but they are more common in patients with cardiac neurosis and organic heart diseases. Emotional excitement, nervous tension, fatigue, indigestion, excessive smoking, drinking, or drinking strong tea can all trigger their occurrence. Additionally, toxicity from drugs such as digitalis, barium, quinidine, sympathomimetic agents, chloroform, and cyclopropane anesthetics, potassium deficiency, and cardiac surgery or catheterization can also cause them. Premature contractions often occur in patients with coronary heart disease, late mitral valve disease, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, thyrotoxic heart disease, and mitral valve prolapse.

1. The treatment principles should be determined based on the presence of organic heart disease, its impact on cardiac output, and the potential for developing into severe arrhythmias.

2. Premature contractions without organic heart disease generally do not require specific treatment. For those with symptoms, it is advisable to address any concerns and try sedatives and beta-blockers for premature contractions triggered by excessive tension, emotional excitement, or exercise.

3. For frequent occurrences with significant symptoms or those associated with organic heart disease, it is important to identify the underlying causes and triggers of the premature contractions as soon as possible and provide appropriate treatment. Additionally, it is crucial to recognize the potential for fatal outcomes and actively treat the underlying causes and symptoms.