Premature atrial contraction: Difference between revisions
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==Clinical Features== | ==Clinical Features== | ||
*Palpitations | |||
*Shortness of breath | |||
*Anxiety | |||
*Asymptomatic | |||
==Differential Diagnosis== | ==Differential Diagnosis== | ||
Revision as of 17:30, 24 March 2020
Background
Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are common and typically benign premature beats characterized by an abnormal early P wave within a cardiac cycle. Less commonly, they can precipitate atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or SVT.[1]
Clinical Features
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Asymptomatic
Differential Diagnosis
Palpitations
- Arrhythmias:
- Non-arrhythmic cardiac causes:
- Psychiatric causes:
- Drugs and Medications:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Drugs of abuse (e.g. cocaine)
- Medications (e.g. digoxin, theophylline)
- Tobacco
- Misc
Evaluation
Management
Disposition
- Discharge home, no specific follow-up (unless identifiable underlying etiology that needs to be treated).
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Specific dysryhthmias. In: Marx K, Rosen P, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier/Saunders, 2014.