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Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
06:34

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography

Published on: October 28, 2020

The influence of premature ventricular contractions on left ventricular function in asymptomatic children without

Yiping Sun1, Nico A Blom, Yonghui Yu

  • 1Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan 250021, PR China.

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
|November 6, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in children without structural heart disease can significantly reduce left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac index. This highlights the importance of monitoring cardiac function in pediatric patients with symptomatic PVCs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Cardiac Electrophysiology
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are common in children.
  • The impact of isolated PVCs on cardiac function in children without structural heart disease is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effect of PVCs on left ventricular (LV) systolic function in children without structural heart disease.
  • Investigate the relationship between PVC characteristics and cardiac dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiac index (CI) in 40 children with isolated monomorphic PVCs.
  • Patients were analyzed based on PVC frequency, coupling interval, and QT interval duration.

Main Results:

  • PVCs significantly reduced LVEF and CI compared to normal sinus beats.
  • Frequent PVCs (>10/min), short coupling intervals, and prolonged QT intervals were associated with markedly reduced PVC-LVEF and PVC-CI.
  • Cardiac function was significantly impaired in subgroups with frequent PVCs, short coupling intervals, or prolonged QT intervals.

Conclusions:

  • Asymptomatic children with isolated monomorphic PVCs can experience reduced average ejection fraction and cardiac output.
  • Frequent PVCs, short coupling intervals, and prolonged QT intervals are key indicators of potential cardiac dysfunction in pediatric patients.
  • These findings underscore the need for careful evaluation of cardiac function in children with concerning PVC characteristics.
Abstract

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