The authors report seven cases of ectopic arrhythmias due to acute and chronic diseases, as well as trauma of the central nervous system. The pathogenesis involves dysfunction of the autonomic nervous centers, leading to augmented discharges of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves innervating the heart. The former gives rise to active ectopic arrhythmias, the latter to passive ectopic arrhythmias. Active treatment of the nervous disorder is the crux of the matter. For active ectopic arrhythmias beta-adrenergic receptor blockers and stellate ganglion block can be used; for passive ectopic arrhythmias post-ganglionic anticholinergic drugs are recommended.