Final answer:
A premature beat that starts in the atria and follows an abnormal pathway through the ventricles is called a premature ventricular contraction (PVC) or premature ventricular beat. It occurs when the ventricles contract too early and out of sync with the normal heart rhythm.
Step-by-step explanation:
A premature beat that starts in the atria and follows an abnormal pathway through the ventricles is called a premature ventricular contraction (PVC) or premature ventricular beat. It occurs when the ventricles contract too early and out of sync with the normal heart rhythm. PVCs can be caused by various factors like caffeine, stress, or heart disease.