PVC Presentation 3620.pdf

Brittney Lisa Sean PREMATURE VENTRICULAR COMPLEX (PVC) & MULTIFOCAL PREMATURE VENTRICULAR COMPLEX Individual complex that originates from an area below the bundle of His and occurs earlier than the next expected complex of the underlying rhythm. INFORMATION ON PVCS A PVC usually is followed by a com...

Brittney Lisa Sean PREMATURE VENTRICULAR COMPLEX (PVC) & MULTIFOCAL PREMATURE VENTRICULAR COMPLEX Individual complex that originates from an area below the bundle of His and occurs earlier than the next expected complex of the underlying rhythm. INFORMATION ON PVCS A PVC usually is followed by a complete compensatory pause. This pause allows the underlying rhythm to continue again at its normal rate, as if the PVC had never occurred When the ventricles initiate a PVC, the atria may or may not depolarize. If the atria do not depolarize, a P wave will not be formed. When atrial depolarization does occur, the P wave is usually hidden in the QRS complex because the ventricles depolarize at about the same time. PVCs are common and can occur in any cardiac rhythm. Information on Multifocal PVCs Originate from different ventricular sites and, therefore, produce polymorphic complexes (varying sizes and shapes). These PVCs are more dangerous because they are the result of increased irritability within the ventricles Even though several QRSs look the same, if the T waves are different after them, the PVCs can appear to be multifocal FREQUENCY OF PVCS Frequency of occurrence is an indication of how irritable (excitable) the cardiac cells are. Less electrical stimulation is needed to cause depolarization when there is greater irritability. This can lead to a more serious rapid-rate dysrhythmia. Also, when PVCs occur frequently, the ventricles have less time to refill with an adequate amount of blood. Either of these situations can cause poor cardiac output, leading to serious symptoms FUN FACT PVC may not actually produce a pulse, it is essential to assess the patient and not rely on the monitor alone. This assessment will determine the patient’s tolerance of the dysrhythmia and the possible need for immediate treatment. PVCs can be caused by heart disease, myocardial infarction, or stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine. Stress and anxiety can also cause PVCs.