Abnomal PVC's High Amount

My husband was hospitalized this summer for throwing PVC's that would not stop.  They did , x rays, blood work, CATSCAN, blood gas, echocardiogram, ultrasound, stress test with contrast and sleep study.  It showed nothing abnormal.  Last week he had the 24 hour holter monitor and they found his supraventricular ectopic activity consisted of 148 beats, with 54 single beats, 41 couplets, and 4 runs of 3 beats or longer.  The fastest beat was 196 BPM.  The ventricular ectopic activity consisted of 3998 beats, which included 3662 single beats, 58 couplets, 7 R on T events and 53 runs of 3 beats or longer.  The fastest ventricular run had a rate of 177 BPM.  

Right now he is going to take 25 mg of Lopressor and Xanax.  In addition to this, he is going to use his CPAP machine to sleep.  He is going to see an endocrinologist next week.  The doctor is going to review his case in one month.  He can't sleep at night because of the heart rate.

The said something about him seeing a electrical physiologist.  They do not understand why this is happening.

Any input???

Many thanks,
Joan

[Momto3]

Hi Joan,

I read through your post and was thinking, "I hope this guy is seeing an electrophysiologist" and then I saw that it had been suggested : )

An electrophysiologist is a specially trained cardiologist who understands and treats "electrical" problems of the heart.  I am not a doctor, but have been seeing an EP for many years and have had lots of monitors, etc.  From what I know, and based on your husband's test results, he probably doesn't have to be concerned about the isolated or couplet events.  An EP would be able to better explain the significance (or lack of) of the R on T events, as well as the runs.  The good news is that in someone with a structurally normal heart, these events are generally not serious.  However, they can be bothersome and disruptive to one's quality of life.  Believe it or not, some people don't even realize they have ectopic beats....WOW!

I used to have thousands of PVCs everyday, so I know how that feels....  He had quite an extensive cardio workup.  Were the PVCs the sole reason for running so many tests?  

He may find that the Lopressor will help to slow his heart rate and that he won't experience as many ectopics.  Was he prescribed Xanax for anxiety?  Has he used a CPAP for a long time?  Any idea why the endocrinology referral?  I'd definitely follow up on the EP referral.

Take care
connie