Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs)
Channel: Nursing School Explained
Date: 2020-08-05

This video discusses the origin of premature atrial contractions (PACs), their characteristics, causes, signs & symptoms as well as interventions.
Please refer to the “Atrial Rhythms” Playlist for more videos about atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) RULES:
(** indicates deviation from normal**)
1. Rate: 
Depends on underlying rhythm - count QRS complexes
2. Rhythm:
** IRREGULAR (PAC initiates early beat)
3. P-wave:
Upright
1 for everyQRS complex
**PAC initiates early beat
4. Intervals:
PRI: 0.12-0.20 (=normal)
QRS: Less than0.12 (=normal)

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.

Atrial Rhythm Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKB5QagCGXw&list=PLGq925lbJaowUo3RR3bTQl8-E-zu6Sxe9

Atrial Flutter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAYX0W52jfU&list=PLGq925lbJaowUo3RR3bTQl8-E-zu6Sxe9&index=2

Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs):
https://youtu.be/ZKB5QagCGXw?list=PLGq925lbJaowUo3RR3bTQl8-E-zu6Sxe9

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT):
https://youtu.be/DMDOvVgpWak