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Heart, section through the middle	Heart, front view	Electrocardiogram (ECG)

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Overview	Symptoms	Treatment	Prevention

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Ectopic heartbeat

Alternative Names

PVB (premature ventricular beat); Premature contraction; Premature beats; PVC (premature ventricular contraction); Extrasystole

Symptoms

• the sensation of feeling heart beat (palpitations)
• the sensation of stopped or skipped beats

Note: In many cases, the person may have no symptoms.

Exams and Tests

A physical examination may show an occasional irregularity, but if the ectopic beats do not occur frequently, they may not be detectable on physical exam. Blood pressure is usually normal.

An ectopic heartbeat may be revealed on:

• an ECG
• continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring (Holter)

Etopic beats may also be observed during:

• an echocardiogram
• coronary angiography

Review Date: 4/27/2004
Reviewed By: Fabian Arnaldo, M.D., Department of Cardiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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