Supraventricular Premature Complexes

Small Animal: Common

Large Animal: Uncommon, but more common then ventricular premature complexes

a. Atrial Premature Complexes (APC)=As the name suggests, an APC is an abnormal ectopic premature beat occurring in the atrial tissue outside the SA node and above the AV node.

b. Junctional Premature Complexes (JPC)=As the name suggests, a JPC is an abnormal ectopic premature beat occurring in the AV nodal region.

Causes

APCs and JPCs can arise as the result of pathological conditions in the cardiac atria, or electrolyte and acid-base disturbances.

ECG Appearance: Premature ectopic P wave +/-; Premature QRS complex

Treatment

Small Animals

• Treat underlying cause

• Treat with antiarrhythmic drugs if clinical signs remain

Antiarrhythmic drugs: e.g digoxin, diltiazem

Large Animals

• Treat underlying cause

• Box rest with heart rate and rhythm monitoring

• If + for heart failure, give digoxin

• Vagal manoeuvres (e.g. carotid sinus or ocular massage)

• Quinidine sulfate