Title: Origin of premature ventricular beats

Category: Cardiology

Keywords: PVC, Premature ventricular beats, Premature ventricular complexes (PubMed Search)

Posted: 1/12/2014 by Ali Farzad, MD (Updated: 3/10/2014)

Differentiation between right and left ventricular origin of premature beats can be useful clinically.

 
The origin of ectopic ventricular beats are recognized best in lead V1 (oriented to differentiate right vs. left sided cardiac activity).
 

Left Ventricular premature beats are more often associated with heart disease and may precipitate ventricular fibrillation, whereas right ventricular premature beats are commonly seen in individuals with normal hearts. 

 

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References

Wagner, Galen. Chapter 15 - Premature Beats. Marriott's Practical Electrocardiography, 12th Edition. 2013