Interpreting an ECG. Atrial premature complex

When APCs are symptomatic or are a potential trigger for supraventricular tachycardia or atrial fibrillation, suppressive therapy with beta-blocking drugs or type I antiarrhythmic agents is indicated. If APCs are infrequent and produce no symptoms, attention to possible provocative factors--excess tobacco or caffeine, or drugs (eg, sympathomimetic amines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants)--is all that is required.