parasystole

Etiology

ectopic focus in the atrium or ventricle

Epidemiology

3% of PVCs

Pathology

• conduction block into area of atria or ventricle, thus these cells are not reset with each normal depolarization
• this area undergoes spontaneous depolarization capturing regional myocardium unless the myocardium is refractory from a previously conducted beat

Management

no specific treatment, disorder is benign

More general terms

• automaticity