R on T Phenomina

[CareBear59]

Hi!
Will you please clear this up for my wife and myself!  Regarding PVC's/PAC's, most generally we know they are benign in the absence of major heart disease, but what is the R on T Phenomina and if a PVC falls on the right part of the heart action, if can throw you into ventricular fibrilliation?  My wife read this and now she's scared to death.  Would that "phenomina thing" have ever been picked up on any of her EKG's or 24 hour holter monitors?  Thanks so much!!

Tim S.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

I really wish this sort of knowledge were not so readily available, as it contributes more to confusion and anxiety than to any sort of real enlightenment. R on T refers to an extra beat occuring during a vulnerable period of the heart's electrical cycle. It can trigger ventricular fibrillation, the most common cause of sudden cardiac death. This is rarely a concern with PVCs and not something I would worry about. It is rarely picked up by an EKG or Holter.

[Tim S.]

Is this still considered rare even if you get very frequent PVC'ss/PAC's and have PSVT?  I wish I had never read that?
Tim

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Yes, it would still be rare.