A premature atrial contraction (PAC) or atrial premature contraction is "a premature beat arising from an ectopic focus within the atria."[2] Premature contractions are classified by their origin: atrial (PACs), junctional (PJCs), or ventricular (PVCs).
Table 1: ECG Characteristics[3]
Clinical Significance[4]
PACs are a normal electrophysiological phenomenon and do not usually require any treatment. Patients with PACs complain of palpitations and "a sense of the heart 'skipping a beat.' "
PACs mostly occur in healthy individuals without heart disease. Stress or stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can increase the frequency of PACs. Although seldom, PACs can also be a sign of underlying heart condition in the atrium.
Goldberger AL, Amaral LAN, Glass L, Hausdorff JM, Ivanov PCh, Mark RG, Mietus JE, Moody GB, Peng C-K, Stanley HE. PhysioBank, PhysioToolkit, and PhysioNet: Components of a New Research Resource for Complex Physiologic Signals. Circulation101(23):e215-e220 [Circulation Electronic Pages;http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/101/23/e215]; 2000 (June 13).