Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)

ECG Features

Figure 1: ECG Strip[1]

A premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is "a premature beat arising from an ectopic focus within the ventricles."[2] Premature contractions are classified by their origin: atrial (PACs), junctional (PJCs), or ventricular (PVCs).

Table 1: ECG Characteristics[3]

Clinical Significance[2]

  • PVCs are a normal electrophysiological phenomenon and rarely require treatment.
  • Recurrent PVCs can cause palpitations and "a sense of the heart 'skipping a beat.' "
  • PVCs can trigger the onset of Ventricular Tachycardia in patients with underlying predispositions, such as ischaemic heart disease and WPW.

ECM Features

Additional Information

References

  1. Premature ventricular contractions [Online image]. (2010). Retrieved July 19, 2016, from http://medlibes.com/entry/premature-ventricular-contractions
  2. Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC). (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2016, from http://lifeinthefastlane.com/ecg-library/basics/pvc/