Spontaneous variability and detection of repetitive extrasystoles during simulated acute antiarrhythmic testing

In order to estimate the reduction in ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) due to spontaneous variability during simulated acute antiarrhythmic testing, and also to determine the detection capacity for repetitive VPCs during short periods of ECG monitoring usually employed as baseline recordings, 2 groups of patients were studied A reduction by more than 50% of the baseline VPC-rate can be expected to occur as a result of an antiarrhythmic intervention, while approximately 40% of the patients with repetitive high risk VPCs escape detection during short periods of control recordings. It is suggested to use a 24 to 47-hour ambulatory monitoring for the diagnosis and classification of VPCs, while acute antiarrhythmic testing should be employed for assessing individual efficacy and tolerance.