premature (redirected from premature heartbeats)

pre·ma·ture (prm-chr, -tr)

adj.

1. Occurring or developing before the usual or expected time.

2. Born after a gestation period of less than the normal time, especially, in human infants, after a period of less than 37 weeks.

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prema·turi·ty n.

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premature

born or interrupted before the state of maturity; occurring before the proper time.

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premature activation potentiation

see postextrasystolic potentiation.

premature heartbeats

arise from irritable foci from within the myocardium in either the atrium or ventricle or close to the A-V node (junctional premature beats). They may cause irregularity of the heartbeat but they can be accurately identified only by the use of an electrocardiograph.

premature ventricular contraction (PVC)

see premature heartbeats (above).

premature young

a newborn animal born before the full term of its pregnancy but capable of maintaining an independent existence.