Parasystole

Report:

Sinus rhythm

Ventricular parasystole

Comment:

The parasystole behaves like a fixed-rate pacemaker, except there are no spike artefacts to mark its beats between ventricular captures. Fusion beats are common in parasystole, but the essential aspect of its definition depends on (i) variable coupling intervals and (ii) fixed interectopic interval or an exact multiple thereof. In this case, three parasystolic cycles separate the pair in the middle of the strip (the first one a fusion beat) from their neighbour on either side.

Note that parasystolic focus can vary its discharge slightly. This variation, when multiplied two or three times, may amount to 0.2”. The focus may also be, occasionally, reset, either by supraventricular impulses (to which it is normally impervious) or a VEB.

Parasystole, once suspected, is among the most paper-consuming arrhythmias in Cardiology.

214. 56 year old man dizzy after a fall.

If you have any suggestions for or feedback on this report, please let us know.