A contraction of the heart muscle that is out of normal timing. An ectopic heartbeat occurs shortly after a normal beat and is followed by a longer than usual interval before the next one.
Ectopic beats can occur in a heart that is otherwise normal and may cause no symptoms. Multiple ectopic beats can cause palpitations. After a myocardial infarction, multiple ectopic beats are a sign of damaged heart muscle. Multiple ectopic beats may lead to ventricular fibrillation, a rapid uncoordinated heartbeat that may be fatal.
Multiple ectopic beats that are causing palpitations, or that occur after a myocardial infarction, are often treated with an antiarrhythmic drug. (See also arrhythmia, cardiac.)
An ectopic pregnancy most commonly develops in one of the FALLOPIAN TUBES. Occasionally it may occur in one of the OVARIES, and rarely in the uterine cervix or the abdominal cavity. Around one in 200 pregnant women have an ectopic gestation. As pregnancy proceeds, surrounding tissues may be damaged and, if serious bleeding happens, the woman may present as an ‘abdominal emergency’. A life-threatening condition, this needs urgent surgery. Most women recover satisfactorily and can have further pregnancies despite the removal of one Fallopian tube as a result of the ectopic gestation. Death is unusual. This disorder of pregnancy may occur because infection or a previous abdominal injury or operation may have damaged the normal descent of an ovum from the ovary to the womb. The ?rst symptoms usually appear during the ?rst two months of pregnancy, perhaps before the woman realises she is pregnant. Severe lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding are common presenting symptoms. Ultrasound can be used to diagnose the condition and laparoscopy can be used to remove the products of conception. (See PREGNANCY AND LABOUR.)... ectopic pregnancy
A heart muscle contraction that is outside the normal sequence of the cardiac cycle (see HEART). The impulse is generated outside the usual focus of the SINOATRIAL NODE. Also known as extrasystoles, ectopic beats are called ventricular if they arise from a focus in the ventricles and supraventricular if they arise in the atria. They may cause no symptoms and the affected subject may be unaware of them. The beat may, however, be the result of heart disease or may be caused by NICOTINE or CAFFEINE. If persistent, the individual may suffer from irregular rhythm or ventricular ?brillation and need treatment with anti-arrhythmic drugs.... ectopic beat
A contraction of the heart that pumps blood to the lungs and the rest of the body. The different parts of the heart contract in a precise sequence that is brought about by electrical impulses that emanate from the sinoatrial node at the top of the right atrium. Three phases make up a cycle of 1 heartbeat: the diastole (resting phase), the atrial systole (atrial contraction), and the ventricular systole (ventricular contraction). The rate at which contractions occur is called the heart-rate. The term pulse refers to the character and rate of the heartbeat when it is felt at certain points around the body (at the wrist, for example).... heartbeat
A testis that is absent from the scrotum because it has descended into an abnormal position, usually in the groin or at the base of the penis. The condition is most often discovered soon after birth during a routine physical examination. It is treated by orchidopexy. (See also testis, undescended.) ... testis, ectopic
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