PVC burden
Percentage of premature ventricular contractions relative to total heartbeats over a monitoring period.
Full Definition
PVC burden quantifies the frequency of premature ventricular contractions as a percentage of total heartbeats during a specified monitoring period, typically measured over 24-48 hours using Holter monitoring. In sports cardiology, PVC burden assessment is crucial for risk stratification in athletes with ventricular ectopy, as higher burdens may indicate underlying structural heart disease or increased arrhythmic risk. Generally, PVC burdens exceeding 10-15% warrant further cardiac evaluation and may require activity restriction. The assessment helps distinguish benign athletic ectopy from potentially dangerous arrhythmic conditions that could predispose to sudden cardiac death during exercise.
Usage
Usage note: Specify monitoring duration and express as percentage when reporting values.
In Context
- "The athlete's 24-hour Holter monitor revealed a PVC burden of 18%, prompting cardiac MRI evaluation." — diagnostic report
- "Current guidelines suggest activity restriction for athletes with PVC burden exceeding 20%." — clinical recommendations