Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Transthoracic Echocardiographic Examination in the Rabbit Model
Published on: June 1, 2019
Left Ventricular Inflow Velocity Pattern in Patients With Symptomatic Premature Ventricular Contraction
Satoshi Takahashi1, Takanao Mine1, Kenki Ashida1
1Cardiovascular Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine.
Background:
Because premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are one of the most common arrhythmias, but with unclear causative mechanisms, we studied the hemodynamic features that can cause symptomatic PVCs.
Methods And Results:
We studied 109 patients (48 males, age 60±19 years) with frequent monomorphic PVCs and no structural heart disease. The left ventricular inflow diastolic filling velocity was recorded by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at the time of PVCs in all patients. We assessed the PVC E wave flow (E wave velocity×duration at PVC). A total of 38 patients (35%) had PVC-related symptoms (19 palpitations, 12 pulse deficit, 6 shortness of breath, 6 malaise, 1 syncope). These patients showed reduced PVC E wave flow (9.3±6.0 vs. 14.6±6.5 cm, P<0.0001), and reduced PVC stroke volume (20.5±10.8 vs. 29.9±17.2 mL, P=0.0030). In the multivariate analysis, only reduced PVC E wave flow was independently associated with PVC-related symptoms (P=0.00349, odds ratio: 1.134029, each 1.0 cm increase in PVC E wave flow, 95% confidence interval: 1.040726-1.247544).
Conclusions:
Decreased E wave flow at the time of PVC was independently related with PVC-related symptoms in patients with PVCs. The LV contraction at the time of inadequate filling might be a cause of PVC-related symptoms.
More Related Videos
04:48Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
Published on: November 28, 2018
07:13Author Spotlight: Advancing Neonatal Cardiac Diagnostics with Echocardiography-Derived Blood Speckle Imaging
Published on: December 22, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
The Cardiac Cycle
The Process
Electrical signals—sent from the sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrial wall to the atrioventricular (AV) node between the right atrium and right ventricle—cause both atria to simultaneously contract. When the signal reaches the AV node, it pauses for approximately a tenth of a second, allowing the atria to contract and...
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias