Ventricular Premature Beats: Difference between revisions

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{{Chapter|Ventricular Arrhythmias}}
{{Chapter|Ventricular Arrhythmias}}
[[Image:Rhythm_ventricular_premature.png|thumb| The arrow indicates a ventricular extrasystole (VES).]]
[[Image:Rhythm_ventricular_premature.png|thumb| The arrow indicates a ventricular extrasystole (VES).]]
[[Image:Rhythm_bigemini.png|thumb|Bigemini: every sinus beat is followed by a ventricular extrasystole]]
A VPB is an [[Ectopic Beats|ectopic beat]] that origins from the ventricles. VPBs are hardly conducted by the specialised conduction system and therefore are broad. The QRS width is at least > 0.12 seconds, but often very broad at around 0.16-0.20 seconds.  
A VPB is an [[Ectopic Beats|ectopic beat]] that origins from the ventricles. VPBs are hardly conducted by the specialised conduction system and therefore are broad. The QRS width is at least > 0.12 seconds, but often very broad at around 0.16-0.20 seconds.  


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*'''monomorphic''': all VPBs have the same configuration and thus have a mutual focus of origin.
*'''monomorphic''': all VPBs have the same configuration and thus have a mutual focus of origin.
*'''multiformic''': the complexes have different configurations.  
*'''multiformic''': the complexes have different configurations.  
*'''Bigemini''': every sinus beat is followed by a ventricular extrasystole.
*'''Trigemini''': every second sinus beat is follow by a ventricular extrasystole.


;Bigemini
:Every sinus beat is followed by a ventricular extrasystole.
[[Image:Rhythm_bigemini.png|thumb|Bigemini: every sinus beat is followed by a ventricular extrasystole]]
;Trigemini
Every second sinus beat is follow by a ventricular extrasystole.


Three or more consecutive VPBs (but in total of no more than 30 seconds duration) are called a non-sustained [[Ventricular Tachycardia|ventricular tachycardia]].
Three or more consecutive VPBs (but in total of no more than 30 seconds duration) are called a non-sustained [[Ventricular Tachycardia|ventricular tachycardia]].
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Revision as of 15:26, 23 July 2007

This is part of: Ventricular Arrhythmias
The arrow indicates a ventricular extrasystole (VES).
Bigemini: every sinus beat is followed by a ventricular extrasystole

A VPB is an ectopic beat that origins from the ventricles. VPBs are hardly conducted by the specialised conduction system and therefore are broad. The QRS width is at least > 0.12 seconds, but often very broad at around 0.16-0.20 seconds.

Causes: e.g. ischemia, hypoxia, old scar tissue, idiopathic. 50% of healthy men have sporadic VPBs. The origin of the VPB can be derived from its form. A LBTB-configured VPB originates in the right ventricle. A RBTB-configured VPB comes from the left ventricle. The QRS duration of a VPB is > 0.12 seconds and can be as wide as 0.16-0.20 seconds.

A sequence of three or more extrasystoles is called a non-sustained ventricular tachycardia.

If more than one VPB is present on the ECG, they can be:

  • monomorphic: all VPBs have the same configuration and thus have a mutual focus of origin.
  • multiformic: the complexes have different configurations.
  • Bigemini: every sinus beat is followed by a ventricular extrasystole.
  • Trigemini: every second sinus beat is follow by a ventricular extrasystole.


Three or more consecutive VPBs (but in total of no more than 30 seconds duration) are called a non-sustained ventricular tachycardia.