To diagnose PVC, doctors will use an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the heart’s electrical activity to identify any abnormalities with the heartbeat and rhythm.

Ventricular bigeminy occurs when every other beat is a PVC. No treatment is necessary for PVCs. If symptomatic, beta-blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs can be effective.

1. Normal sinus rhythm 2. Premature ventricular contraction 3. Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) Note the premature ventricular contraction (PVC) that triggers the AVNRT in this ECG.

Telemetry is a critical tool in keeping patients alive, but without proper monitoring, it can lead to tragedy. A former executive with HCA, the nation’s largest hospital chain, described an ...