Pulsus bigeminus
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pulsus bigeminus is a cardiovascular phenomenon, in which two heartbeats occur close to each other followed by a long pause. The second pulse is weaker than the first, and it is caused by premature contractions after every other beat, usually of the ventricles.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated. Pulsus bigeminus in itself is not a life threatening condition.
Common Causes
The most common cause of Pulsus bigeminus is hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Pulsus bigeminus may be innocent and a temporary phenomenon, Other Common causes include:
Causes by Organ System
Cardiovascular | Myocardial Infarction |
Chemical / poisoning | No underlying causes |
Dermatologic | No underlying causes |
Drug and Toxin Side Effect | Beta blocker, calcium channel blocker, digoxin |
Ear Nose Throat | No underlying causes |
Endocrine | Hypothyroidism |
Environmental | No underlying causes |
Gastroenterologic | No underlying causes |
Genetic | [No underlying causes |
Hematologic | No underlying causes |
Iatrogenic | No underlying cause |
Infectious Disease | No underlying causes |
Musculoskeletal / Ortho | No underlying causes |
Neurologic | No underlying cause |
Nutritional / Metabolic | No underlying cause |
Obstetric/Gynecologic | No underlying cause |
Oncologic | No underlying causes |
Opthalmologic | No underlying causes |
Overdose / Toxicity | [No underlying causes |
Psychiatric | No underlying causes |
Pulmonary | No underlying causes |
Renal / Electrolyte | Hyperkalemia |
Rheum / Immune / Allergy | No underlying causes |
Sexual | No underlying causes |
Trauma | No underlying causes |
Urologic | No underlying causes |
Miscellaneous | No underlying causes |