PVC
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Polyvinyl chloride |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering, Medical |
PVC has two meanings. It stands for Polyvinyl chloride (chemistry) or Premature ventricular contraction (cardiology).
Meanings of PVC at a glance
| # | PVC stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Polyvinyl chloride | Science & Engineering › Chemistry |
| 2 | Premature ventricular contraction | Medical › Cardiology |
1. Polyvinyl chloride
Science & Engineering · Chemistry Abbreviations
The world's third most produced synthetic plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. Rigid PVC is used for water and drain pipes, window frames and siding, while plasticized, flexible PVC goes into cable insulation, flooring, medical tubing and synthetic leather.
Example: Use Schedule 40 PVC for the drain line and solvent-weld every joint with primer and cement.
Pronounced as separate letters, and in Britain often called vinyl. It carries resin identification code 3. Flexible PVC owes its softness to plasticizers, historically phthalates, some of which are now restricted in toys. Waldo Semon of BF Goodrich found a practical way to plasticize PVC in 1926, opening up most of its uses. Burning PVC releases corrosive hydrogen chloride.
2. Premature ventricular contraction
Medical · Cardiology Abbreviations
Extra heartbeat that starts early in a ventricle, interrupting the normal rhythm and usually followed by a pause. Many people feel it as a "skipped" or "flip-flop" beat; occasional PVCs are common and harmless, but a very high burden can weaken the heart over time.
Example: 24-hour Holter: sinus rhythm with 14% PVC burden, unifocal, from the right ventricular outflow tract.
Also called ventricular premature beats (VPB) or ventricular ectopy. A burden above about 10 to 15 percent of all beats is associated with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy, which may reverse after ablation or medication. Patterns include bigeminy (every other beat) and trigeminy (every third). Outside medicine PVC usually means polyvinyl chloride plastic.
Related abbreviations
More chemistry abbreviations
- PS – Polystyrene
- PTFE – Polytetrafluoroethylene
- PU – Polyurethane
- PVA – Polyvinyl alcohol
- Rf – Retention factor
- RT – Room temperature
- RTP – Room temperature and pressure
- SATP – Standard ambient temperature and pressure
See all 106 chemistry abbreviations →
More cardiology abbreviations
- PSVT – Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
- PTA – Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
- PTCA – Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
- PTS – Post-thrombotic syndrome
- PVD – Peripheral vascular disease
- PVI – Pulmonary vein isolation
- PVR – Pulmonary vascular resistance
- QRS – QRS complex
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.