If you’re looking at an electrocardiogram ECG and see a premature ventricular contraction PVC, it will look different than the normal heart rhythm. A PVC occurs when the lower chambers of the heart, known as ventricles, contract earlier than they should. This causes an abnormal heartbeat pattern on the ECG.
A PVC looks like a single, tall peak or spike on the ECG tracing. It is usually much higher in amplitude than the other peaks that make up normal heartbeats and may be preceded by a small dip or notch before it appears. The peak is often referred to as a “rabbit ear” because of its shape and size compared to other waves on the trace.
The timing of pvc’s can occur anywhere from every few beats to many times per minute depending on how frequently they are occurring in your body. The time interval between two successive pvc’s is called “couplet” or “bigeminy”. Couplets usually occur when there are two consecutive pvc’s followed by one normal beat; bigeminy can refer to either one or two consecutive pvc’s followed by two normal beats.
In addition to these visual cues, your doctor may also use other tests like echocardiograms and Holter monitors to confirm that you have had a PVC episode and assess its severity if necessary.
What does a PVC look like on an ECG? It looks like a single, tall peak or spike on the ECG tracing, often referred to as a “rabbit ear”.
