premature ventricular contraction
Premature ventricular contraction (noun) A specific type of cardiac arrhythmia where a heartbeat originates from one of the ventricles of the heart earlier than expected in the normal rhythm cycle. This creates an irregular heartbeat and can sometimes be felt as a "skipped beat" or a "flutter." Recurrent occurrences can be a precursor to more serious conditions like ventricular fibrillation.
This term is used in medical contexts to describe a specific, common type of irregular heartbeat. * The patient's Holter monitor recorded several premature ventricular contractions during the 24-hour period. * A doctor might explain: "The palpitations you're feeling are likely due to premature ventricular contractions; they are often benign but we will monitor them."
- Clinical Significance: While often benign, especially in healthy individuals, frequent premature ventricular contractions can be a sign of underlying heart disease, electrolyte imbalance, or increased sympathetic nervous system activity (e.g., from stress or caffeine).
- Patterns: In cardiology, specific patterns are noted, such as bigeminy (every other beat is a PVC) or trigeminy (every third beat is a PVC).
- PVC (noun): The common abbreviation for "premature ventricular contraction."
- The ECG showed occasional PVCs.
- Ventricular premature beat (VPB) (noun): A synonymous medical term.
- Ectopic beat (noun): A broader term for any heartbeat originating from an area other than the sinoatrial node; a premature ventricular contraction is a type of ventricular ectopic beat.
- Ventricular premature beat (VPB)
- Ventricular ectopic beat
- Benign PVCs: Premature ventricular contractions that occur in a structurally normal heart and are not associated with increased risk.
- Symptomatic PVCs: Premature ventricular contractions that cause noticeable symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or a feeling of "skipped beats."
- Frequent PVCs: A clinical description often meaning more than a certain number of premature ventricular contractions per hour on a monitor.
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irregularity of cardiac rhythm; recurrent occurrences can be a precursor of ventricular fibrillation
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