Premature atrial contraction overview
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Premature atrial contraction Microchapters |
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Differentiating Premature atrial contraction from other Diseases |
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Premature atrial contraction overview On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Mugilan Poongkunran M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
Premature atrial contractions(PACs) also known as atrial premature complex (APC), premature atrial beat or atrial premature beat (APB) is a benign type of premature heart beat which originates in one of the upper two chambers of the heart (the atria). PACs are to be distinguished from premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) that originate in one of the lower pumping chambers (the ventricles). PACs occur frequently in subjects with normal heart, however patients with structural heart disease and coronary heart disease are at increased risk.
Pathophysiology
Mechanisms responsible for spontaneous premature atrial contraction are not clear but reentry within the atrium is the most probable mechanism.