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{{Premature ventricular contraction}}
{{Premature ventricular contraction}}
'''For patient information, click [[Premature ventricular contraction (patient information)|here]]'''
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{M.P}}
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{M.P}}


{{SK}} Premature ventricular beat; premature ventricular beats; premature ventricular complex; premature ventricular complexes; premature ventricular contraction; premature ventricular contractions; PVB; PVBs; PVC; PVCs; VEA; VEB; VEBs; VES; ventricular ectopic activity; ventricular ectopic beat; ventricular ectopic beats; ventricular extrasystole; ventricular premature beat; ventricular premature beats; ventricular premature complex; ventricular premature complexes; ventricular premature contraction; ventricular premature contractions; VPB; VPBs; VPC; VPCs
{{SK}} Premature ventricular beat; premature ventricular beats; premature ventricular complex; premature ventricular complexes; premature ventricular contraction; premature ventricular contractions; PVB; PVBs; PVC; PVCs; VEA; VEB; VEBs; VES; ventricular ectopic activity; ventricular ectopic beat; ventricular ectopic beats; ventricular extrasystole; ventricular premature beat; ventricular premature beats; ventricular premature complex; ventricular premature complexes; ventricular premature contraction; ventricular premature contractions; VPB; VPBs; VPC; VPCs


==Overview==
==[[Premature ventricular contraction overview|Overview]]==
Premature ventricular contraction is a form of irregular [[heart beat]] in which the [[ventricle (heart)|ventricle]] contracts prematurely.  This results in a skipped beat followed by a stronger beat.  Individuals may report a feeling that their heart stops after a premature ventricular contraction.


==Pathophysiology==
==[[Premature ventricular contraction historical perspective|Historical Perspective]]==
The depolarization of the heart muscle begins in the ventricle instead of the usual place, the [[sinus node]].


==Causes==
==[[Premature ventricular contraction classification|Classification]]==
===Life Threatening Causes===
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
*[[heart transplantation|Acute cardiac allograft rejection]]
*[[Acute coronary syndrome]]
*[[Diabetic ketoacidosis]]
*[[NSTEMI]]
*[[Pulmonary embolism]]
*[[Short QT syndrome]]
*[[STEMI]]


===Common Causes===
==[[Premature ventricular contraction pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]==
*[[Amiodarone]]
*[[Anxiety disorder]]
*[[Azithromycin]]
*[[Cocaine]]
*[[Congestive heart failure]]
*[[Dilated cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Hypercalcemia]]
*[[Hypertensive heart disease]]
*[[Hypokalemia]]
*[[Hypomagnesemia]]
*[[Inotropes]]
*[[Myocardial infarction]]
*[[Pseudoephedrine]]
*[[Pulmonary artery catheter]]
*[[Sympathomimetics]]
*[[Tricyclic antidepressant]]
*[[Valvular heart disease]]


===Causes by Organ System===
==[[Premature ventricular contraction causes|Causes]]==
{|style="width:80%; height:100px" border="1"
|style="height:100px"; style="width:25%" border="1" bgcolor="LightSteelBlue" |


'''Cardiovascular'''
==[[Premature ventricular contraction differential diagnosis|Differentiating Premature ventricular contraction from other Disorders]]==
|style="height:100px"; style="width:75%" border="1" bgcolor="Beige" | [[Acute coronary syndrome]], [[Andersen cardiodysrhythmic periodic paralysis]], [[aortic stenosis]], [[arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia]], [[AV block]], [[catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia]], [[congenital heart disease]], [[congestive heart failure]], [[cor pulmonale]], [[dilated cardiomyopathy]], [[hypertensive heart disease]], [[hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]], [[ischemic heart disease]], [[Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome]], [[long QT syndrome]], [[mitral valve prolapse]], [[myocardial contusion]], [[myocardial infarction]], [[myocarditis]], [[NSTEMI]], [[pericarditis]], [[restrictive cardiomyopathy]], [[right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia]], [[Romano-Ward syndrome]], [[short QT syndrome]], [[short QT syndrome type 1]], [[short QT syndrome type 2]], [[short QT syndrome type 3]], [[short QT syndrome type 4]], [[short QT syndrome type 5]], [[STEMI]], [[Timothy syndrome]], [[torsade de pointes]], [[unstable angina]], [[valvular heart disease]], [[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Chemical / poisoning'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Arsenic trioxide]], [[monosodium glutamate]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Dermatologic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Drug Side Effect'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Almokalant]], [[aminophylline]], [[amiodarone]], [[amitriptyline]], [[amphetamines]], [[antiarrhythmics]], [[asenapine]], [[astemizole]], [[azimilide]], [[azithromycin]], [[bepridil]], [[chloroquine]], [[cisapride]], [[citalopram]], [[clomipramine]], [[clozapine]], [[cocaine]], [[desipramine]], [[digitalis]], [[digoxin]], [[diphenhydramine]], [[disopyramide]], [[dofetilide]], [[dolasetron]], [[doxepin]], [[dronedarone]], [[droperidol]], [[eribulin mesylate]], [[fluconazole]], [[halofantrine]], [[haloperidol]], [[ibutilide]], [[imipramine]], [[inotropes]], [[ketanserin]], [[ketoconazole]], [[lidoflazine]], [[lubeluzole]], [[methadone]], [[methadyl acetate]], [[methamphetamine]], [[midodrine]], [[mizolastine]], [[moxifloxacin]], [[naratriptan]], [[nicardipine]], [[nilotinib]], [[ondansetron]], [[pazopanib]], [[pentamidine]], [[phenothiazines]], [[pimozide]], [[piperaquine]], [[prenylamine]], [[probucol]], [[procainamide]], [[propoxyphene]], [[pseudoephedrine]], [[quinidine]], [[quinine]], [[ranolazine]], [[retigabine]], [[ritodrine]], [[ritonavir]], [[saquinavir]], [[sertindole]], [[sotalol]], [[sparfloxacin]], [[sympathomimetics]], [[tedisamil]], [[telithromycin]], [[terfenadine]], [[terodiline]], [[tetrabenazine]], [[theobromine]], [[thioridazine]], [[tricyclic antidepressants]], [[vandetanib]], [[vemurafenib]], [[vernakalant]], [[voriconazole]], [[vorinostat]], [[ziprasidone]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Ear Nose Throat'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Endocrine'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Cushing's syndrome]], [[diabetic ketoacidosis]], [[metabolic syndrome]], [[thyrotoxicosis]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Environmental'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Gastroenterologic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Genetic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Andersen cardiodysrhythmic periodic paralysis]], [[channelopathies]], [[Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome]], [[myotonic dystrophy]], [[Romano-Ward syndrome]], [[short QT syndrome]], [[short QT syndrome type 1]], [[short QT syndrome type 2]], [[short QT syndrome type 3]], [[short QT syndrome type 4]], [[short QT syndrome type 5]], [[Timothy syndrome]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Hematologic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Iatrogenic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[heart transplantation|Acute cardiac allograft rejection]], [[cardiac stress test]], [[cardiac transplantation]], [[cardioversion]], [[defibrillation]], [[heart surgery]], [[pulmonary artery catheter]], [[right heart catheterisation]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Infectious Disease'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Myocarditis]], [[rheumatic fever]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Musculoskeletal / Ortho'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Myotonic dystrophy]], [[Timothy syndrome]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Neurologic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Nutritional / Metabolic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Acid-base disturbances]], [[acidosis]], [[acute starvation]], [[hypercalcemia]], [[hypoglycaemia]], [[hypomagnesemia]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Obstetric/Gynecologic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Oncologic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Pheochromocytoma]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Opthalmologic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Overdose / Toxicity'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Amiodarone]], [[amphetamines]], [[chloroquine]], [[clozapine]], [[cocaine]], [[digitalis]], [[halofantrine]], [[haloperidol]], [[methadone]], [[methadyl acetate]], [[methamphetamine]], [[quinine]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Psychiatric'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Acute stress disorder]], [[anxiety disorders]], [[bulimia nervosa]], [[Takotsubo cardiomyopathy]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Pulmonary'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Lung disease|Chronic lung disease]], [[COPD]], [[cor pulmonale]], [[hypercapnia]], [[hypoxia]], [[obstructive sleep apnea]], [[pulmonary embolism]], [[respiratory acidosis]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Renal / Electrolyte'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Chronic renal failure]], [[electrolyte imbalance]], [[hypokalemia]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Rheum / Immune / Allergy'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[heart transplantation|Acute cardiac allograft rejection]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Sexual'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Trauma'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Electrocution]], [[myocardial contusion]]
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Urologic'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Dental'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| No underlying causes
|-
|-bgcolor="LightSteelBlue"
| '''Miscellaneous'''
|bgcolor="Beige"| [[Idiopathic]], [[zero gravity]]
|-
|}


===Causes in Alphabetical Order===
==[[Premature ventricular contraction epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology and Demographics]]==
{{col-begin|width=80%}}
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*[[Acid-base disturbances]]
*[[Acidosis]]
*[[heart transplantation|Acute cardiac allograft rejection]]
*[[Acute coronary syndrome]]
*[[Acute starvation]]
*[[Acute stress disorder]]
*[[Alcoholism]]
*[[Almokalant]]
*[[Aminophylline]]
*[[Amiodarone]]
*[[Amitriptyline]]
*[[Amphetamines]]
*[[Andersen cardiodysrhythmic periodic paralysis]]
*[[Antiarrhythmics]]
*[[Anxiety disorders]]
*[[Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia]]
*[[Arsenic trioxide]]
*[[Asenapine]]
*[[Astemizole]]
*[[AV block]]
*[[Azimilide]]
*[[Azithromycin]]
*[[Bepridil]]
*[[Bulimia nervosa]]
*[[Cardiac stress test]]
*[[Cardiac transplantation]]
*[[Cardioversion]]
*[[Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia]]
*[[Channelopathies]]
*[[Chloroquine]]
*[[Lung disease|Chronic lung disease]]
*[[Chronic renal failure]]
*[[Cisapride]]
*[[Citalopram]]
*[[Clomipramine]]
*[[Clozapine]]
*[[Cocaine]]
*[[Congenital heart disease]]
*[[Congestive heart failure]]
*[[COPD]]
*[[Cor pulmonale]]
*[[Cushing's syndrome]]
*[[Defibrillation]]
*[[Dehydration]]
*[[Desipramine]]
*[[Diabetic ketoacidosis]]
*[[Digitalis]]
*[[Digoxin]]
*[[Dilated cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Diphenhydramine]]
*[[Disopyramide]]
*[[Dofetilide]]
*[[Dolasetron]]
*[[Doxepin]]
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*[[Dronedarone]]
*[[Droperidol]]
*[[Electrocution]]
*[[Electrolyte imbalance]]
*[[Eribulin mesylate]]
*[[Fluconazole]]
*[[Grepafloxacin]]
*[[Halofantrine]]
*[[Haloperidol]]
*[[Heart surgery]]
*[[Hypercalcemia]]
*[[Hypercapnia]]
*[[Hypertensive heart disease]]
*[[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Hypoglycaemia]]
*[[Hypokalemia]]
*[[Hypomagnesemia]]
*[[Hypothermia]]
*[[Hypoxia]]
*[[Ibutilide]]
*[[Idiopathic]]
*[[Imipramine]]
*[[Inotropes]]
*[[Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome]]
*[[Ketanserin]]
*[[Ketoconazole]]
*[[Lidoflazine]]
*[[Long QT syndrome]]
*[[Lubeluzole]]
*[[Metabolic syndrome]]
*[[Methadone]]
*[[Methadyl acetate]]
*[[Methamphetamine]]
*[[Midodrine]]
*[[Mitral valve prolapse]]
*[[Mizolastine]]
*[[Moxifloxacin]]
*[[Myocardial contusion]]
*[[Myocardial infarction]]
*[[Myocarditis]]
*[[Myotonic dystrophy]]
*[[Naratriptan]]
*[[Nicardipine]]
*[[Nilotinib]]
*[[NSTEMI]]
*[[Obstructive sleep apnea]]
*[[Ondansetron]]
*[[Pazopanib]]
*[[Pentamidine]]
*[[Perimyocarditis]]
*[[Phenothiazines]]
*[[Pheochromocytoma]]
*[[Pimozide]]
{{col-break|width=33%}}
*[[Piperaquine]]
*[[Prenylamine]]
*[[Probucol]]
*[[Procainamide]]
*[[Propoxyphene]]
*[[Pseudoephedrine]]
*[[Pulmonary artery catheter]]
*[[Pulmonary embolism]]
*[[Quinidine]]
*[[Quinine]]
*[[Ranolazine]]
*[[Respiratory acidosis]]
*[[Restrictive cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Retigabine]]
*[[Rheumatic fever]]
*[[Right heart catheterisation]]
*[[Right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia]]
*[[Ritodrine]]
*[[Ritonavir]]
*[[Romano-Ward syndrome]]
*[[Saquinavir]]
*[[Short QT syndrome]]
*[[Short QT syndrome type 1]]
*[[Short QT syndrome type 2]]
*[[Short QT syndrome type 3]]
*[[Short QT syndrome type 4]]
*[[Short QT syndrome type 5]]
*[[Sotalol]]
*[[Sparfloxacin]]
*[[STEMI]]
*[[Sympathomimetics]]
*[[Takotsubo cardiomyopathy]]
*[[Tedisamil]]
*[[Telithromycin]]
*[[Terfenadine]]
*[[Terodiline]]
*[[Tetrabenazine]]
*[[Theobromine]]
*[[Thioridazine]]
*[[Thyrotoxicosis]]
*[[Timothy syndrome]]
*[[Torsade de pointes]]
*[[Tricyclic antidepressants]]
*[[Unstable angina]]
*[[Valvular heart disease]]
*[[Vandetanib]]
*[[Vemurafenib]]
*[[Vernakalant]]
*[[Voriconazole]]
*[[Vorinostat]]
*[[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome]]
*[[Zero gravity]]
*[[Ziprasidone]]
{{col-end}}


==Differentiating Premature Ventricular Contraction from other Diseases==
==[[Premature ventricular contraction risk factors|Risk Factors]]==
A premature ventricular contraction originates in the ventricle, and this must be differentiated from an impulse that originates above the ventricle (i.e. it is supraventricular in origin) and conducts with a delay (i.e. a wide complex, it is aberrantly conducted).
===Supraventricular Origin of an Impulse with Aberrant Conduction===
Aberrant ventricular conduction is:
* A transient form of abnormal [[intraventricular conduction delay]] (#IVCD) and occurs when there is unequal refractoriness of the two bundles.
* The right bundle has a longer action potential duration, and is more vulnerable to conduction delay or failure.
* The refractory period is affected by the preceding cycle length.
* The refractory period is longer when there is a long preceding RR interval.
* Aberrant ventricular conduction is favored when a premature supraventricular impulse comes after a long preceding RR interval ([[Ashman phenomenon]]).
* If the underlying rhythm is sinus in origin, and if the abnormal [[QRS]] is preceded by a premature [[P wave]], then the ectopic beat is likely to be supraventricular in origin.
* The absence of a fully compensatory pause further supports this diagnosis.
* If a retrograde P wave is identifiable after the [[QRS]] complex and the RP interval is less than 0.11 second, the premature beat is likely to have originated from the AV junction, since the RP interval is too short for VA conduction (unless an accessory pathway is present).
* A long RP interval of 0.20 seconds or longer is suggestive but not diagnostic of a PVC, since the retrograde conduction time of a junctional beat is less likely to exceed this duration.
* The beat is more likely to be due to aberrancy if the initial forces are similar to those of the sinus beat and if it has an RSR' configuration in lead V1.
*If the [[QRS]] complexes in all the precordial leads are positive or all negative, then a PVC is more likely.
*Diagnosis of PVCs in the presence of atrial fibrillation:
*:* Absence of [[P wave]]s and the irregularity of the rhythm are the handicaps
*:* A constant coupling time is suggestive of PVCs
*:* [[Ashman phenomenon]].  Keep in mind that a long cycle length also favors the precipitation of a PVC, therefore this sign is helpful but not diagnostic of aberrancy.
*:* PVC is favored if the abnormal complex terminates a short-long cycle.


==Risk Factors==
==[[Premature ventricular contraction natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]]==
*[[Anxiety]]/[[Stress]]
*[[Chocolate]]
*[[Caffeine]]
*[[Electrolyte disturbance|Calcium/magnesium imbalance]]
*[[Dehydration]]
*[[Alcohol]]
*[[Exercise]]
*[[Hormones|Hormonal imbalance]]
*[[Hypercapnia]] ([[CO2 poisoning|CO<sub>2</sub> poisoning]])
*[[Vagus nerve stimulation|Vagal hyperstimulation]]
*[[Sleep deprivation|Lack of sleep]]/[[exhaustion]]
*[[Overeating]]
*[[Copper deficiency]]
*[[Monosodium glutamate]] ([[MSG]])


== Epidemiology and Demographics ==
==Diagnosis==
PVCs are a very common form of arrhythmia, and can occur in both individuals with and without [[heart disease]].  They can also occur in otherwise healthy athletes (e.g. in the days following a major effort such as a marathon. Estimates of the prevalence of PVCs vary greatly.
[[Premature ventricular contraction history and symptoms|History and Symptoms]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction_physical_examination|Physical Examination]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction electrocardiogram|Electrocardiogram]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction EKG examples|EKG Examples]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction chest x-ray|Chest X Ray]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction echocardiography|Echocardiography]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction cardiac MRI|Cardiac MRI]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction coronary angiography|Coronary Angiography]]
 
In children, PVCs occur less frequently than in adults, although healthy children are known to have episodes of PVC.  In fact, on routine monitoring of children aged 10-13 years with a [[Holter monitor]], about 20% of healthy boys had occurrences of PVC.  In otherwise healthy newborns, PVCs will often resolve on their own by the 12th week of life, and almost never require treatment.
 
== Natural History, Complications and Prognosis==
* In the absence of [[ischemic heart disease]] ([[CAD]]) or [[hypertension]] ([[HTN]]), there is no excess risk of mortality in patients with PVCs.
* On the other hand, PVCs in the presence of structural cardiac abnormalities or [[hypertension]] is associated with twice the expected mortality.
* The development of sustained [[ventricular tachycardia]] ([[VT]]) is most likely among those patients with greater than 12 PVCs/min, [[couplets]], and multifocal PVCs.
* Complex [[ventricular ectopic activity]] ([[VEA]]) during acute phase of STEMI does not have any prognostic significance.
* Their presence 2 to 3 weeks after acute MI is associated with a 3 fold increase in the risk of sudden death.
# Healthy patients
#* The most common arrhythmia in patients with and without CAD.
#* Less common in infants and children, more common in the elderly.
#* Usually originate from the RV.
#* In normal patients, they may be either precipitated or suppressed by exercise.
#* No relationship to coffee or smoking has been established.
#* Frequency decreases with sleep.
# Coronary artery disease
#* Routine ECGs demonstrate PVCs in 10% of patients with CAD.
#* Incidence inreases to 60 to 88% when the monitoring is increased to 12 to 24 hours.
#* The frequency of complex VEA increases with increasing numbers of vessels involved. (40% with one, 53% with two, and 78% with three vessels involved has VEA).
#* Patients with CAD are more prone to develop VEA with exercise (incidence 4 times higher than age matched controls).
#* Reported incidence in acute MI varies, but is near 100%.
#* After the initial 6 hours, the frequency decreases.
#* Persistence of VEA is associated with larger infarct size.
#* In one study, patients with EFs of greater than 50% had no persistent VEA, and patients with EFs of less than 30% had frequent PVCs.
# Other Organic Heart Diseases:
#* occur on routine EKG in 1/3rd of patients.
#* 12% of patients with congested cardiomyopathy have PVC on routine tracings.
#* 1.6% of patients with IHSS have PVCs on routine EKG.
# Drugs:
#* PVCs are the most common arrhythmia in patients with digoxin toxicity.
#* Other drugs that cause PVCs are quinidine, PCA, norpace, phenothiazines and tricyclic antidepressants.
# Electrolyte Imbalance:
#* [[Hypokalemia]], [[hypomagnesemia]], and [[hypercalcemia]] are frequently associated with the appearance of ventricular arrhythmias.<ref>Chou's Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice Third Edition, pp. 398-409.</ref> <ref>Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:194 ISBN 1591032016</ref>
 
== Diagnosis ==
PVCs are diagnosed by an [[ECG]] or a TMT but some patients will need to wear a [[Holter monitor]] to record PVCs that occur outside the [[medical doctor|doctor's]] office or [[hospital]].  PVCs are often [[benign]] but may be a sign of a [[heart condition]].  PVCs may be unifocal (coming from the same part of the heart and having the same shape on the ECG) or multifocal (coming from several parts of the heart and having various shapes on the ECG).  On the ECG, PVCs are diagnosed by: '''1'''. prematurity '''2'''. wide QRS '''3'''. the presence (usually) of a compensatory pause.
 
In healthy individuals, PVCs can often be resolved with continuous [[rehydration]] and by repleting the balance of [[magnesium]], [[calcium]] and [[potassium]] within the body.
 
=== Electrocardiogram ===
 
# The beats are premature in relation to the expected beat of the basic rhythm.
# Ectopic beats from the same focus tend to have a constant coupling interval (the interval between the ectopic beat and the preceding beat of the basic [[sinus rhythm]]).
#* They do not vary from each other by more than 0.08 seconds if the focus is the same.
#* PVCs with the same morphology but with a varying coupling interval should make one suspect a parasystolic mechanism.
#* A longer RR interval is followed by a relatively longer coupling interval.
# The [[QRS]] complex is abnormal in duration and configuration.  There are secondary [[ST segment]] and [[T wave]] changes.  The morphology of the [[QRS]] may vary in the same patient.
#* If the [[PVC]] originates from the [[RV]] then the [[QRS]] has a [[LBBB]] morphology.
#* The duration of the [[QRS]] is >0.12 seconds, but a narrower [[QRS]] may occur if the focus is higher in the septum.
#* The T wave is inverted and the [[ST segment]] is depressed.
# There is usually a full compensatory pause following the [[PVC]].
#* The sum of the RR intervals that precede and follow the ectopic beat (or the RR interval that contains the [[PVC]]) equals two RR intervals of the sinus beats.
#* Because of sinus arrhythmia, the RR interval that contains the [[PVC]] may not be exactly twice the duration of the RR interval of the adjacent sinus beat, even though a full compensatory pause does exist).
# Retrograde capture may or may not occur.
# They may occur in various frequency and distribution patterns such as [[bigeminy]], trigeminy (occurrence of a PVC every third beat), quadrigeminy (occurrence of a PVC every fourth beat), and couplets (two ventricular premature complexes in a row).  These are called complex [[PVC]]s.
#* The Rule of [[Bigeminy]]:
#*:# [[PVC]]s frequently occur after a long RR interval
#*:# The compensatory pause of the precipitated [[PVC]] constitutes another long RR interval, which in turn favors the appearance of another [[PVC]]
#*:# Therefore bigeminy tends to perpetuate itself
# Occasionally [[PVC]]s may be interpolated:
#* Between 2 beats without disturbing NSR
#* Occurs mostly when the NSR is slow and the [[PVC]] is early
#* The PR following the [[PVC]] is nearly always prolonged because of concealed retrograde conduction of the ectopic ventricular impulse, which renders the AV junction partially refractory.<ref>Chou's Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice Third Edition, pp. 398-409.</ref> <ref>Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:194 ISBN 1591032016</ref>
 
{{#ev:youtube|SyPjvL209PA}}
 
=== [[Premature Ventricular Contraction EKG Examples]] ===
 
====Grading of Frequency====
# Called frequent if there are 5 or more [[PVC]]s per minute on the routine [[ECG]]  
# '''Lown''' and '''Graboys''' proposed the following grading system which is used for prognostic purposes:
#* Grade 0 = No PVCs
#* Grade 1 = Occasional (<30 per hour)
#* Grade 2 = Frequent (>30 per hour)
#* Grade 3 = Multiform
#* Grade 4 = Repetitive
#*:# A = Couplets
#*:# B = Salvos of > 3
#* Grade 5 = R-on-T


==Treatment==
==Treatment==
If the patient is asymptomatic, no treatment may be necessary.  The following may reduce the frequency of PVCs:
[[Premature ventricular contraction medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction electrical cardioversion|Electrical Cardioversion]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction ablation|Ablation]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction surgery|Surgery]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction primary prevention|Primary Prevention]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction secondary prevention|Secondary Prevention]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction cost effectiveness of therapy|Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy]] | [[Premature ventricular contraction future or investigational therapies|Future or Investigational Therapies]]
 
* Avoiding PVC causes and triggers
*[[Magnesium]] supplements (e.g. [[magnesium citrate]])
*[[Calcium]] supplements (e.g. citrate)
*[[Potassium citrate]]
*[[Beta blocker]]s ([[Propranolol]], [[Atenolol]], [[Metoprolol|Toprol XL]])
 
Therapies with limited data to support their use:
*[[Fish oil]]
*[[Alprazolam|Xanax]]


==References==
==Case Studies==
{{Reflist|2}}
[[Premature ventricular contraction case study one|Case #1]]


==Related Chapters==
==Related Chapters==
*[[Ventricular tachycardia]]
*[[Bigeminy]]
*[[Bigeminy]]
*[[Premature atrial contraction]]
*[[Premature atrial contraction]]


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Revision as of 01:00, 29 August 2013

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Risk calculators and risk factors for Premature ventricular contraction

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mugilan Poongkunran M.B.B.S [2]

Synonyms and keywords: Premature ventricular beat; premature ventricular beats; premature ventricular complex; premature ventricular complexes; premature ventricular contraction; premature ventricular contractions; PVB; PVBs; PVC; PVCs; VEA; VEB; VEBs; VES; ventricular ectopic activity; ventricular ectopic beat; ventricular ectopic beats; ventricular extrasystole; ventricular premature beat; ventricular premature beats; ventricular premature complex; ventricular premature complexes; ventricular premature contraction; ventricular premature contractions; VPB; VPBs; VPC; VPCs

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Premature ventricular contraction from other Disorders

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | EKG Examples | Chest X Ray | Echocardiography | Cardiac MRI | Coronary Angiography

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Electrical Cardioversion | Ablation | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Related Chapters


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