A ventricular ectopic beat (VEB) is an extra heart-beat originating in the lower chamber of the heart.
An Ectopic Beat or Cardiac ectopy is an irregular beat arising in the heart due to variations in the electrical conductance system of the heart. Ectopic beats are generally harmless and may occur without any particular cause. Ventricular Ectopic Beats. The most common type of ventricular ectopic beat is premature, causing ventricular contraction before the underlying rhythm would normally depolarise the ventricles. The resultant heartbeat morphology on the ECG often appears wider and taller than that seen with the underlying rhythm. Ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) are ectopic impulses originating from an area distal to the His Purkinje system. VPCs are the most common ventricular arrhythmia. Assessment and treatment of VPCs is challenging and complex. Causes and symptoms. Although the origin of a VEB is well documented, the exact cause or causes are not well understood. Some physicians believe the beat is caused by a trigger of specific origin, while other physicians believe the beat is random. Occasional ventricular ectopic beats occur in healthy people. An ectopic rhythm is an irregular heart rhythm due to a premature heartbeat. Ectopic rhythm is also known as premature atrial contraction, premature ventricular contraction, and extrasystole. When your heart experiences an early beat, it is usually followed by a brief pause. A ventricular ectopic beat (VEB) is an extra heart-beat originating in the lower chamber of the heart. This beat, also called a premature ventricular contraction (PVC), occurs before the beat triggered by the heart's normal function. Ventricular ectopic beats are common and do not indicate a problem in people without heart disease. However, if a person has aortic stenosis, heart failure, or a previous heart attack, VEBs may be followed by ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation, which can lead to sudden death. Ventricular Ectopic Beats are also called premature ventricular contraction as they may occur just before the normal beat of the ventricle. Ventricular Ectopic beats also are common in people and they do not pose a risk unless there is a history of heart disease. A single ventricular ectopic beat has very little effect on the pumping ability of the heart and usually does not cause any symptoms. If a symptom is felt, it is the feeling of a strong or skipped beat, often described as a thump, kick, or flip-flop. Sometimes, the sensation is referred to as a fullness in the neck.
http://www.heart-consult.com/articles/what-ectopic-beats http://www.cardionetics.com/ventricular-ectopic-beats http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/158939-overview http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Ventricular+Ectopic+Beats http://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/ectopic-heartbeat http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Ventricular+Ectopic+Beats http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Ventricular+Ectopic+Beats http://www.heart-consult.com/articles/what-ectopic-beats http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Ventricular+Ectopic+Beats
what is ventricular ectopy