Ectopic heartbeat

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Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Heart, front view

Heart, section through the middle

Ectopic heartbeat is an irregularity of the heart rate and heart rhythm involving extra or skipped heartbeats.

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

Ectopic heartbeats are an arrhythmia involving small variations in an otherwise normal heartbeat. In many cases, they may occur without obvious cause and be benign.

Other times, however, they are associated with electrolyte abnormalities in the blood which should be corrected. They can also be associated with ischemia, or local reduction in blood supply to the heart. In addition, ectopic beats may be caused or made worse by excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, certain medications, and some illicit drugs.

Ectopic beats are rare in children other than those with congenital heart disease. The majority of extra heartbeats in children are PAC's (premature atrial contractions), which are almost always benign.

In adults, ectopic beats can occur more commonly, and underlying reversible reasons should be investigated even if it turns out that no treatment is ultimately needed.

Review Date: 05/31/2006
Reviewed By: Glenn Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.