About-Cardio
-
We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) on ECG
Introduction
Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that originate in the ventricles instead of following the normal electrical conduction pathway. They are common and often benign but can be associated with underlying heart disease.
ECG Characteristics of PVCs
- Wide QRS complex (typically >120 ms) since the impulse originates outside the normal conduction system.
- No preceding P wave or retrograde P waves since the impulse bypasses the atria.
- Compensatory pause – the next normal beat occurs at a normal interval from the preceding beat, leading to an irregular rhythm.
- Unifocal or Multifocal – If all PVCs have the same morphology, they are unifocal; if they vary in shape, they are multifocal.
- Bigeminy, Trigeminy, or Couplets – PVCs may appear as single beats or in repeating patterns.
Causes of PVCs
- Benign: Stress, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances.
- Cardiac conditions: Coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, myocarditis.
- Systemic conditions: Hyperthyroidism, anemia, hypoxia.
Clinical Significance
- Isolated PVCs without symptoms: Usually benign.
- Frequent PVCs (>10% of total heartbeats): May indicate structural heart disease or increase the risk of cardiomyopathy.
- PVCs in presence of known heart disease: Requires investigation (echocardiography, Holter monitoring, stress testing).
Treatment and Management
- Lifestyle Changes: Reducing caffeine, alcohol, and stress.
- Electrolyte Correction: Checking magnesium and potassium levels.
- Medication: Beta-blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs for symptomatic patients.
- Catheter Ablation: In cases of drug-refractory PVCs associated with left ventricular dysfunction.
When to See a Doctor
- Frequent or symptomatic PVCs (dizziness, chest pain, palpitations).
- PVCs associated with known heart disease.
- PVCs that worsen with exercise.
Conclusion
PVCs are common and often benign but require attention if frequent or symptomatic. Diagnosis via ECG and Holter monitoring helps assess risk and guide treatment.
Source recommendations
1. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on Ventricular Arrhythmias
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2022/09/02/14/23/2022-ESC-Guidelines-for-VAs-ESC-2022
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26320108/
2. American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines on Arrhythmias
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29097320/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000549
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16949478/
- https://www.acc.org/Guidelines
-
If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Get second opinion
Here you can learn everything that even your doctor may not know about cardiology (if he does not speak English and he does not read 117 leading medical journals on cardiology every month).
The most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials
Our website contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials in your country.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.