Which drug is commonly prescribed to treat premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) following a myocardial infarction?

The most appropriate choice for treating premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) following a myocardial infarction is lidocaine. Lidocaine is an antiarrhythmic medication that acts on sodium channels in the heart, effectively stabilizing myocardial membranes and decreasing the occurrence of ectopic beats such as PVCs. This is particularly useful in the context of myocardial infarction, where the myocardium may be more susceptible to arrhythmias due to ischemic damage.

While other options such as beta-blockers and amiodarone can also be effective in managing arrhythmias, lidocaine is especially favored in acute settings for its rapid action and efficacy in preventing life-threatening arrhythmias in the immediate post-infarction period. Beta-blockers may be used for long-term management as they reduce overall heart workload and can decrease the frequency of PVCs over time but are not the immediate treatment of choice. Amiodarone also serves as a more long-term antiarrhythmic but has a slower onset and is often reserved for broader categories of arrhythmias rather than specifically for acute PVC management following myocardial infarction. Aspirin, while critical for its antiplatelet effects post-infarction, does not directly address arrhythmias. Therefore, lidocaine