Figure 64 Compensatory Pause Another feature common to many PVCs is that the T wave is in the opposite direction of the __ complex. 9. Another frequent feature that may be helpful in identifying a PVC is the compensatory pause that usually follows a ventricular ectopiC. A compensatory pause is created when a PVC comes early, but since it doesn't conduct the impulse retrograde through the AV node the atria are not depolarized . This leaves the sinus node undisturbed and able to discharge again at its next expected time. The result is that the distance between the complex preceding the PVC and the complex following the PVC is exactly twice the distance of one R-R interval (Figure 64). If an ectopic is followed by a __ pause, it is a good indication that the ectopic was a __ 10. Although it is most common for PVCs to be followed by compensatory pauses, this is not a rigid requirement Another configuration possibility is that the PVC be followed by no pause whatsoever. This occurs when the PVC squeezes itself in between two regular complexes and does not disturb the regular pattern of the sinus node. This phenomenon is called an interpolated PV C. because the PVC inserts itself between two regular beats (Figure 65 ). With an interpolated PVC, the R-R interval remains __ since the PVC does not interrupt the sinus rhythm. 11. If a PVC is followed by a pause before the next sinus beat, leaving a distance between the sinus beat preceding the PVC and the sinus beat