A couplet in an ECG (electrocardiogram) refers to two consecutive premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) occurring without any normal heartbeats in between.
Understanding PVCs and Couplets
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Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs): These are extra, abnormal heartbeats that originate in the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart). They disrupt the regular heart rhythm.
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Couplet: As defined by the HPO (Human Phenotype Ontology), a couplet is characterized by two consecutive PVCs with no intervening normal beats.
Significance of Couplets
The occurrence of couplets can be clinically significant as they may indicate:
- Increased irritability of the heart's ventricles.
- Potential for more serious arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), such as ventricular tachycardia (a rapid heart rate originating in the ventricles).
- Underlying heart conditions.
Therefore, identification of couplets on an ECG warrants further investigation to determine the cause and assess the risk of more dangerous arrhythmias.
