Three consecutive PVCs forming a short run. What is this pattern called?

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Multiple Choice

Three consecutive PVCs forming a short run. What is this pattern called?

Three consecutive premature ventricular contractions form a short ventricular ectopic run, which is called a PVC triplet. A PVC couplet is two consecutive PVCs, so that’s a different pattern. A run of three or more consecutive ectopic beats can become ventricular tachycardia if it’s sustained by rate and duration, but a brief run described as short is typically labeled a PVC triplet rather than VT. A run of atrial ectopy would involve premature atrial beats with normal or narrow QRS complexes, not the wide QRS complexes seen with ventricular origin. So three consecutive PVCs are best described as a PVC triplet.

Three consecutive premature ventricular contractions form a short ventricular ectopic run, which is called a PVC triplet. A PVC couplet is two consecutive PVCs, so that’s a different pattern. A run of three or more consecutive ectopic beats can become ventricular tachycardia if it’s sustained by rate and duration, but a brief run described as short is typically labeled a PVC triplet rather than VT. A run of atrial ectopy would involve premature atrial beats with normal or narrow QRS complexes, not the wide QRS complexes seen with ventricular origin. So three consecutive PVCs are best described as a PVC triplet.

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