Ventricular Rhythm

Ventricular Rhythm

1. early depolarization begins in the ventricle instead of the sinus node

2. causes: abnormal levels of electrolytes (dec potassium/magnesium), use of diuretics, toxins, stimulants (coffee, nicotine, cocaine), infection

   • Occurs in normal, healthy individuals no tx necessary if asymptomatic. tx depends on cause
     • SIGNIFICANT PVCs: more than 6 PVCs in a min, multifocal, paired couplet PVCs, R on T PVCs, PVCs that are in runs of 3
       • Tx: antiarrhythmic meds bc of high risk of v tach and v fib

3. PVC

   • multifocal: looks different
     • unifocal: looks the same
   • ventricular bigeminy: PVCs every other beat
     • trigeminy: PVCs every 3 beats
       • quadrigeminy: PVCs every 4 beats
   • couplet: PVCs that occur in pairs

4. Tests: electrocardiogram, cardiac cath, electrophysiology testing