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Predictors and Therapy of Cardiomyopathy Caused by Frequent Ventricular Ectopy

  • Invasive Electrophysiology and Pacing (EK Heist, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim of this review is to describe predictors and therapeutic principles for PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

Recent Findings

PVC-induced cardiomyopathy is a treatable condition resulting in a reversible form of cardiomyopathy.

Summary

PVC-induced cardiomyopathy has only recently been recognized as an entity that causes a reversible form of cardiomyopathy. The mechanism of development of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy has not yet been elucidated, although dyssynchrony appears to play a major role. Multiple factors have been described that are independently associated with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Predictors of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy include PVC prevalence, epicardial origin, male gender, longer symptom duration and asymptomatic status, presence of interpolated PVCs, lack of circadian variability, and a broader PVC-QRS width. In the presence of cardiomyopathy, work-up for structural heart disease and its etiology should be performed, followed by aggressive attempts at PVC reduction. There is evidence that ablation therapy is superior to medical therapy for frequent PVCs, but treatment decisions need to be individualized depending on the patients symptoms, PVC prevalence, PVC origin, patients comorbidities, and patient preference. The potential of sudden cardiac death associated with the presence of structural heart disease needs to be recognized, and appropriate risk stratification is mandatory.

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Correspondence to Frank Bogun.

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Ghaith Sharaf Dabbagh and Frank Bogun declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with humans or animal subjects performed by the authors themselves.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Invasive Electrophysiology and Pacing

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Dabbagh, G.S., Bogun, F. Predictors and Therapy of Cardiomyopathy Caused by Frequent Ventricular Ectopy. Curr Cardiol Rep 19, 80 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-017-0887-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-017-0887-1

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