What term describes a premature ventricular contraction?

What term describes a premature ventricular contraction?

• A. Premature ventricular contractions
• B. Atrial tachycardia
• C. Supraventricular tachycardia
• D. Ventricular tachycardia

Answer: (A)

Premature ventricular contractions are isolated, early heartbeats that originate in the ventricles rather than following the normal conduction path. They show up as a wide QRS complex that occurs sooner than the next expected beat, often without a preceding P wave and followed by a compensatory pause. This term precisely describes the phenomenon of an early ventricular beat, making it the best choice. It’s distinct from atrial tachycardia, which starts in the atria and produces a rapid rhythm; supraventricular tachycardia, which is a rapid rhythm arising above the ventricles; and ventricular tachycardia, which is a rapid rhythm originating in the ventricles and typically sustained rather than a single premature beat. PVCs can be harmless in healthy people or signal underlying issues like electrolyte imbalance, ischemia, or structural heart disease when frequent.

Premature ventricular contractions are isolated, early heartbeats that originate in the ventricles rather than following the normal conduction path. They show up as a wide QRS complex that occurs sooner than the next expected beat, often without a preceding P wave and followed by a compensatory pause. This term precisely describes the phenomenon of an early ventricular beat, making it the best choice. It’s distinct from atrial tachycardia, which starts in the atria and produces a rapid rhythm; supraventricular tachycardia, which is a rapid rhythm arising above the ventricles; and ventricular tachycardia, which is a rapid rhythm originating in the ventricles and typically sustained rather than a single premature beat. PVCs can be harmless in healthy people or signal underlying issues like electrolyte imbalance, ischemia, or structural heart disease when frequent.