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CHAPTER 30

Premature Ventricular Contraction

Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the student should be able to:

1. Define premature ventricular contraction (PVC), and list the diagnostic criteria of these events. (p 482)
2. Predict the hemodynamic compromise of one or more PVCs, and discuss the mechanism(s) leading to that instability. (p 482)
3. Discuss the concept of the coupling interval, and predict how it could be used diagnostically with PVCs. (p 483)
4. Define and discuss the clinical significance of the R-on-T phenomenon. (pp 483–484)
5. Compare the origins, morphologic appearances, and routes of ventricular depolarization between unifocal and multifocal PVCs. (pp 485, 486)
6. Define the term salvo as it relates to PVCs and ventricular rhythms. (p 487)
7. List some clinical conditions or circumstances that are associated with the formation of a PVC. (p 490)
8. Accurately identify PVCs on a rhythm strip or ECG. (pp 491–495)