[Ventricular extrasystole and coronary disease: to treat or not to treat?].

The prognostic significance of ventricular premature beats (VPB) and their proper management are still a subject of controversy, particularly since during the last few years a number of publications have raised doubts as to the effectiveness and safety of antiarrhythmic drugs. An appropriate assessment of the VPB must consider: 1) electrocardiographic characteristics. 2) Associated symptoms. 3) Presence or absence of underlying disease, and 4) Ventricular function (VF). On this basis VPB may be classified as "Benign" (isolated; asymptomatic; mild or absent cardiopathy, and preserved VF); "Hazardous" (presence of complex VPB; with or without symptoms, and recognized organic heart disease), and "Malignant" (complex VPB and ventricular tachyarrhythmias; symptomatic cardiac disease, and compromised VF). Antiarrhythmic drugs are indicated for "Hazardous" and "Malignant" VPB. However, selection and efficacy must be documented by objective testing (Holter, stress, plasma levels). When utilized in well defined groups of patients, with reduction in the hourly number of VPB (more than 50-70%) and mainly of complex forms, there is clear benefit in terms of long-term survival, including coronary disease and congestive heart failure.