bigeminy

Introduction

ventricular beats grouped in pairs, the first a normal beat, the second premature

Pathology

• the premature beat generally arises from an ectopic focus in the atria or ventricles

Diagnostic procedures

• electrocardiogram
• ambulatory ECG monitoring
• ventricular beats are grouped in pairs, the first a normal beat, the second premature
• compensatory pause after the premature beat separates the pairs of beats
• an acceleration of heart rate may normalize the rhythm

Differential diagnosis

• a similar pattern is produced by a second degree AV block with a ratio of 3:2; however, this pattern is not converted to a normal rhythm by an acceleration of heart rate

Management

• no need for cardiology consult or need to rule out second degree AV block in the absence of syncope

More general terms

• cardiac arrhythmia

Additional terms

• trigeminy