Final answer:
Therapies to suppress PVCs in patients with structural heart disease might include potassium channel blockers like amiodarone and procainamide, which affect the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential. Other agents such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are used to reduce contractility and manage blood pressure and chest pain. In some cases, pacemakers are also implemented to stabilize heart rhythm.
Step-by-step explanation:
In patients with structural heart disease, therapy to suppress premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) is essential to maintain cardiac function and prevent further complications. Potassium channel blockers, such as amiodarone and procainamide, are often utilized in these therapeutic interventions. These medications work by impeding the movement of K+ through voltage-gated K+ channels, thus affecting the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential. This action prolongs the action potential duration, which is believed to reduce the incidence or severity of PVCs.
The use of such antiarrhythmic drugs is a part of a broader strategy for managing cardiac dysrhythmias. Negative inotropic agents, which include beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, may also be administered to decrease the strength of contraction and stroke volume (SV), providing additional therapeutic benefits by lowering blood pressure and alleviating chest pain (angina).
To effectively suppress PVCs, doctors may adjust parasympathetic and sympathetic stimulation. By using beta blockers to provide negative inotropic effects and potentially decreasing heart rate and SV, balance can be achieved. Additionally, to correct arrhythmias, pacemakers may be implanted to ensure a stable heart rhythm, especially when the heart develops a junctional rhythm.