Premature atrial contraction epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Mugilan Poongkunran M.B.B.S [2]

Premature atrial contraction (PAC) can occur at any age and they should not be always considered as an abnormal finding. The prevalence depends on the technique used for evaluation and the presence of heart disease.

• Premature atrial contraction occur commonly in both young and elderly subjects, however studies have shown that the frequency and prevalence of PACs appears to increase with age.^[1]
• The prevalence of PACs is highly dependent upon the technique used for evaluation. A 24-hour Holter monitoring is most preferred modality for the evaluation of premature ventricular complex.
• The presence and frequency of PACs is dependent upon the presence of structural heart disease. They tend to occur more common in people with left ventricular dysfuction irrespective of the etiology.

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