Extrasystole - treatment, diagnosis and prevention

Extrasystoles is the premature contraction of the whole heart or part of it. This violation of the heart rate can be determined in most healthy people over 30 years of age. Often extrasystole occurs in heart defects, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, ischemic disease. In addition, extrasystole can cause intoxication with medications, nicotine, alcohol abuse, strong coffee.

Clinically, extrasystole, especially of organic origin, is often diagnosed accidentally during the examination. Extrasystoles of functional origin are manifested by a feeling of discomfort in the chest, complaints of a feeling of "cardiac arrest", pulsation.

The diagnosis is based on ECG data, which is used to determine the appearance of extraordinary cardiac contractions. At the place of formation in the myocardium, extrasystoles are divided into atrial and ventricular. The simplest extrasystoles are single extraordinary cuts. They, as a rule, have a functional origin. Such extrasystoles do not change the usual hemodynamics.

If extrasystole is diagnosed, treatment depends on the cause of development and can be different - from general restorative therapy to antiarrhythmic drugs and radiofrequency ablation. Therapeutic tactics take into account the shape and localization of extrasystoles.

If there is no organic heart damage and extrasystole is diagnosed, treatment can be limited to the appointment of sedatives, general restorative therapy, exclusion of factors that cause heart rhythm disturbance. With persistent extrasystole, the appointment of antiarrhythmic drugs.

Treatment of extrasystole with antiarrhythmic drugs

Despite the presence of a large number of antiarrhythmic drugs, the medical treatment of extrasystolic arrhythmia is complex and not always sufficiently effective. It has been proved that antiarrhythmic drugs in some cases can themselves cause heart rhythm disturbances in some patients.

All antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into several groups:

• Blockers of fast sodium channels;
• Beta-blockers;
• Potassium channel blockers;
• Blockers of slow calcium channels.

Antiarrhythmic drugs for acute extrasystole are used parenterally, in other cases they are administered orally. Any extrasystole, treated with antiarrhythmic drugs, must be confirmed by instrumental studies. Selection of drugs and dosage is carried out individually. In addition, treatment of the underlying disease and elimination of factors contributing to the development of arrhythmia are necessary.

In organic heart diseases, frequent, especially ventricular extrasystoles are necessary treatment, when there is a threat of development of life-threatening forms of arrhythmias.

Severe extrasystole, whose medication is not effective, requires the use of non-drug therapies. In this case, electroimpulse therapy, electrocardiostimulation, radiofrequency destruction of additional foci of excitation in the myocardium can be used.

The prognosis for extrasystole is determined by the severity of the underlying disease, the stage of heart failure and the type of extrasystole. The presence of some forms of extrasystoles may be a harbinger of paroxysmal tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Especially dangerous is ventricular extrasystole, the treatment of which does not bring the desired result.

Prevention of cardiac arrhythmias, first of all, consists in the treatment of the underlying disease, as well as the exclusion of emotional and physical overstrain, alcohol abuse and other stimulant drinks, control over the intake of medications is necessary.