What is compensatory pause in premature atrial contraction?

A compensatory pause implies that the sinus beat after the premature beat occurs on schedule, such that there is two sinus cycles (2 RR intervals) between the beats before and after the premature beat. This is the hallmark of ventricular premature beats.

Do PVCs have compensatory pauses?

Usually a PVC is followed by a complete compensatory pause because the sinus node timing is not interrupted; one sinus P wave isn’t able to reach the ventricles because they are still refractory from the PVC; the following sinus impulse occurs on time based on the sinus rate.

What is a compensatory pause on ECG?

A long pause after an abnormal heat during atrial fibrillation has been called a “compensatory pause” and has been used to identify premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and to differentiate them from supraventricular beats with aberration.

What causes the compensatory pause?

Let’s begin with the definition of a compensatory pause: a compensatory pause results when the ectopic impulse fails to enter the SA node. The SA node continues to produce impulses without any effect from the ectopic impulse. Each sinus P wave is normal and right on time.

What are premature atrial complexes ( PACs ) and what are they?

PACs are early (that is, premature) electrical impulses that are generated within the cardiac atria, but not from the sinus node. PACs momentarily interrupt the normal sinus rhythm by inserting an “extra” heartbeat.

Why does a full compensatory pause occur in premature ventricular complexes?

The full compensatory pause occurs because the sinus rhythmicity is undisturbed by the ectopic impulse (unlike with premature atrial complexes). The frequency of the ectopic beats varies widely not only among individuals, but also in the same subject at different periods of observation.

Is there a compensatory pause after the premature beat?

Figure 4. Premature atrial beat with incomplete compensatory pause. A compensatory pause implies that the sinus beat after the premature beat occurs on schedule, such that there is two sinus cycles (2 RR intervals) between the beats before and after the premature beat.

When do premature atrial contractions cause no heartbeat?

Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs) Therefore, no heartbeat is felt until the next regularly-timed heartbeat occurs after a pause (so-called compensatory pause). Incidentally, the beat after the PAC usually occurs with stronger contraction than usual and can be associated with an urge to cough.