How to Identify Cardiac Arrhythmias (With Videos)

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Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC)

Early or premature ventricular contractions are caused by increased automaticity of ventricular muscle cells. PVCs usually are not considered harmful but are of concenr if more than six occur in 1 minute, if they occur in pairs or triplets if they are multifocal or if they occur or near a T wave.

• Atrial rhythm is regular
• Ventricular rhythm is irregular
• QRS complex premature, usually followed by a complete compensatory pause
• QRS complex is also wide and distorded, usually >0.14 second.
• Premature QRS complexes occurring singly, in pairs, or in threes

Clinical manifestations includes palpitations, weakness, lightheadedness but it is most of the time asymptomatic. Management includes assessment of the cause and treat as indicated. Treatment is indicated if the client has underlying disease because PVCs may precipitate ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Assess for life threatening PVCs. Administer antiarrhythmic medication as prescribed.

Navigation

1. So What’s an ECG?
2. Sinus Tachycardia
3. Sinus Bradycardia
4. Premature Atrial Contraction
5. Atrial Flutter
6. Atrial Fibrillation
7. Premature Junctional Contraction
8. AV Blocks
9. Premature Ventricular Contractions
10. Ventricular Tachycardia
11. Ventricular Fibrillation
12. Other Arrhythmias