Final answer:
Yes, a ventricular ectopic beat (VE) is correctly called a premature ventricular contraction (PVC). These ectopic beats are arrhythmias that can be caused by various factors and can lead to more serious conditions like fibrillation.True
Step-by-step explanation:
A ventricular ectopic beat (VE), also known as a premature ventricular contraction (PVC), is true. An ectopic focus or ectopic pacemaker can prompt a premature contraction when an area of the heart other than the SA node initiates an impulse. Various factors can stimulate such an ectopic focus, including localized ischemia, drug exposure like caffeine, digitalis, or acetylcholine, heightened autonomic nervous system activity, or disease.
Premature ventricular contractions are a type of extra beat and belong to one of the main groups of arrhythmias. PVCs could lead to arrhythmias or, if chronic, more serious conditions such as fibrillation. In ventilated patients or during medical emergencies like ventricular fibrillation, a 'code blue' might be called, requiring immediate life support or defibrillation.
The term often used to refer to ventricular contraction when no blood is being ejected is ventricular systole, which is represented by the QRS complex on the ECG.