Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)
Channel: Nursing School Explained
Date: 2020-09-09

This video discusses the origin of premature ventricular contractions or complexes (PVCs), their characteristics, causes, signs & symptoms as well as interventions.
Please refer to the “Ventricular Dysrhythmias” Playlist for more videos about ventricular tachycardia (Vtach), ventricular atrial fibrillation (Vfib), asystole aka cardiac standstill, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).

Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC) RULES:
(** indicates deviation from normal**)
1. Rate: 
Depends on underlying rhythm but usually WNL
2. Rhythm:
** IR/REGULAR (PVC initiates early beat)
3. P-wave:
** Usually absent (in PVC only)
4. Intervals:
**PRI: none with PVC b/c ectopic beat stems from ventricles
**QRS: Less greater than 0.12, WIDE & BIZARRE, T wave frequently in opposite direction of QRS

For more videos about this important topic please refer to the other EKG Interpretation playlists of my channel Nursing School Explained. The videos in this playlist are intended to be watched in succession for best results: Basic Electrophysiology, EKG Interpretation - The Basics: EKG paper and Determination of Heart Rate, EKG Interpretation - The Basics - Normal Intervals and RULE to Memorize, Sinus rhythms, Atrial rhythms, AV blocks, and Ventricular rhythms.