Criteria for PVCs

What is the criteria, and perhaps where can I find the citation published, that defines numerically how many PVCs per ? time period qualifies them as occasional, frequent, etc.
Thanks.
John

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

The Lown grading system for PVC's states the following:

30 PVC's per/hr is considered frequent

Hope this answers your question. If you are interested in reading the chart just "Google" Lown grading system.

[Christine0687]

Is this saying that the more frequent your PVCs are the more likely you are to die from some type of cardiac episode?

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

This grading system is only to determine frequency of PVC's, not mortality rate from them:)

[ireneo]

I still think it depends on the structural health of the heart. I had a period of 5 months where I was having 15-25 PVC's a minute for hours on end. Nothing came of it and they faded away. My norm is 1-5 PVC's or PAC's a minute and it's not a problem other than the ka-thumps I feel.

[JohnPin569]

Most of the lieterature on the Lown scale refers to outcomes based on the PVC frequencies.  Specifically, for both a 12 Lead and holter monitoring, I wanted to know the published criteria for using the terms, frequent, occasional, isoltaed, etc.

For examples, if there are 3 PVCs on a 12 lead, would you say frequent, occasional??  If you averaged 28 PVCs an hour on a holter scan what would that be called?  

Somewhere there should be a chart posted for EKG and holter, I just can't find it.  :)

Thanks.
John

[RR1456]

28 PVCS an hour falls just short of what the lown grade considers frequent,  If you had 3 show up on a 12 lead well iy is not graded that way , the only signifigance is if they were back to back . Sound like 3 on 12 lead probably if continued in that same pattern would be equivilent of 28 in one hour . I have thousands daily and over 500 in one hour and very symptomatic . It is distressing to say the least,so I can relate,