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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
PVC's and Quinidine Sulfate
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
PVC's and Quinidine Sulfate
by Robert-Adt, Mar 01, 1999 12:00AM
I am 57 yr. male in good health except for trouble sleeping.
6 ft, 173 lb., rest pulse 60/min, BP 110/70, cholesterol ~180.
I exercise 3-4 x per week with either:
free weights (for 1.5 hr)
OR
Nordick Track (20 to 40 minutes with a pulse rate of 135 to 155 depending on intensity).
About 6 years ago I was diagnosed w/ PVC's by Dr. A (I did not feel the PVC’s at that time and was disturbed by his finding.)
I took QUINIDINE SULFATE Extended Release Tablets, 300 mg. 4x per day for about 2 years and the PVC’s were gone.
I gradually stopped taking the QUINIDINE SULFATE.
Then I changed Drs. to a cardiologist (medical insurance change) who found no PVC’s for 2 years.
PVC’s have now returned (When I feel my pulse I detect missing beats).
PVC frequency varies ranging from every 3rd or 4th beat to none in 100 beats. (They seem to be worse after I exercise harder.)
I can feel the PVC’s in the form of palpitations(?). Also a sort of light-headedness at times.
I am currently back with Dr. A and he detects the PVC’s. (My insurance changed again – I like Dr. A very much and am glad to be his patient again.) I expect he will prescribe QUINIDINE SULFATE again.
QUESTION:
Is QUINIDINE SULFATE an acceptable drug for controlling PVC’s?
The reason I ask is that I have been informed by a close friend that QUINIDINE SULFATE is not a safe drug and is no longer prescribed for PVC’s. My friend works with a cardiologist who tests heart medications (using patients) for drug companies.
Thank you for your help. You have a great web site, one of the best.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD DLB, Mar 01, 1999 12:00AM
_
Dear Robert
PVCs are generally not treated anymore. If a patient is having bothersome symptoms from PVCs, then medications are used. Quinidine would not be the first medication I would try in that situation anyway. The fact that you experience lightheadedness now with the palpitations and not before indicates that you may be experiencing a different arrhythmia now - this possibility needs to be evaluated by your cardiologist. If quinidine is to be prescribed, your doctor should make sure that you do not have underlying heart disease.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
