What does a Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC) indicate?

What does a Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC) indicate?

• A. Aventricular firing an early beat
• B. Regular heartbeat from the atria
• C. Normal sinus rhythm
• D. Decreased heart rate

Answer: (A)

A Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC) is characterized by an early heartbeat originating from the ventricles of the heart. This is an abnormal electrical impulse that disrupts the regular rhythm of the heart, leading to a contraction that occurs earlier than expected in the cardiac cycle. In context, this means that when a PVC occurs, the usual sequence of electrical conduction is interrupted, resulting in a heartbeat that is out of sync with the normal rhythm established by the sinoatrial node in the atria. PVCs may give rise to a feeling of a skipped heartbeat or palpitations, which can often be felt by the individual. The other choices do not accurately describe a PVC. For example, a regular heartbeat from the atria speaks to normal atrial activity rather than the early, abnormal activity seen in a PVC. Similarly, normal sinus rhythm indicates a typical pattern of heartbeats without the interruptions caused by PVCs. Lastly, a decreased heart rate does not specifically relate to the occurrence of PVCs, as PVCs can occur in the context of both normal and rapid heart rates.

A Premature Ventricular Complex (PVC) is characterized by an early heartbeat originating from the ventricles of the heart. This is an abnormal electrical impulse that disrupts the regular rhythm of the heart, leading to a contraction that occurs earlier than expected in the cardiac cycle.

In context, this means that when a PVC occurs, the usual sequence of electrical conduction is interrupted, resulting in a heartbeat that is out of sync with the normal rhythm established by the sinoatrial node in the atria. PVCs may give rise to a feeling of a skipped heartbeat or palpitations, which can often be felt by the individual.

The other choices do not accurately describe a PVC. For example, a regular heartbeat from the atria speaks to normal atrial activity rather than the early, abnormal activity seen in a PVC. Similarly, normal sinus rhythm indicates a typical pattern of heartbeats without the interruptions caused by PVCs. Lastly, a decreased heart rate does not specifically relate to the occurrence of PVCs, as PVCs can occur in the context of both normal and rapid heart rates.