What is the characteristic of multiphasic PVCs?

What is the characteristic of multiphasic PVCs?

• A. They appear identical on EKG
• B. They originate from multiple foci
• C. They are produced by a single focus
• D. They signify excellent cardiac health

Answer: (B)

Multiphasic PVCs, or premature ventricular contractions, exhibit a characteristic feature where they originate from multiple ectopic foci within the ventricles. This means that each PVC can look different on an EKG due to the fact that they are coming from different regions of the heart. The varying origin points lead to distinct morphologies of the PVCs as they reflect different electrical impulses being generated.

When assessing PVCs on an EKG, if they appear different from one another, it suggests that these contractions are not all triggered by the same pathological focus, but rather show the activity of multiple ectopic pacemakers. This is an important distinction in understanding the underlying cardiac health and arrhythmias, as the presence of multiphasic PVCs can indicate a higher likelihood of underlying cardiac issues or structural heart abnormalities.