what is pac in medical

11 months ago 27
Nature

The term "PAC" can refer to two different things in the medical field:

  1. Premature Atrial Contractions: These are extra heartbeats that begin in one of the hearts two upper chambers (atria) . They can be caused by a variety of factors, including excessive caffeine or other stimulants, little to no physical activity, extreme levels of anxiety, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart valve disease, heart failure, and congenital heart disease. In most cases, PACs are harmless and do not require treatment. However, if they occur frequently or are accompanied by other symptoms, a doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or medication.

  2. Pulmonary Artery Catheterization: This is a medical procedure in which a catheter is inserted into a patients pulmonary artery to measure blood temperature, pressure, and oxygen levels). Fluids or medicine can also be administered through the catheter). This procedure is typically used to monitor critically ill patients in intensive care units).

It is important to note that the term "PAC" can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used.