premature atrioventricular junctional complex (JPC)

Introduction

Premature depolarizations originating in the AV node or the proximal segment of the His-Purkinje system. Most JPCs occur in the absence of structural heart disease & result from increased automaticity.

Etiology

• myocardial infarction
• drug toxicity
• catecholamine excess
• electrolyte imbalance
• tobacco
• alcohol
• caffeine

Clinical manifestations

• patients may be asymptomatic
• feeling of skipped beats

Diagnostic procedures

• electrocardiogram:
• premature, normally conducted QRS
• intact retrograde AV nodal conduction
  • inverted P wave during or just after QRS complex
• retrograde AV block
  • retrograde p-wave is absent
  • delay in next p-wave
  • anterograde AV block may occur

Management

• Generally no therapy is required.

More general terms

• premature electrocardiography complex