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Ventricular ectopy in totally symptom-free subjects with defined coronary artery anatomy
A J Batchelor1, W B Kruyer, J R Hickman
1Clinical Sciences Division, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base.
Insights
Ventricular ectopy, or irregular heartbeats, is common in asymptomatic men. This study found no link between ventricular ectopy and coronary artery disease in healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is a key diagnostic tool.
- Ventricular ectopy is a common finding in cardiac assessments.
- Understanding the relationship between ectopy and coronary artery disease (CAD) is crucial for risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of ventricular ectopy in asymptomatic males.
- To determine the association between ventricular ectopy and coronary artery disease (CAD) identified via cardiac catheterization.
- To explore the link between ectopy, CAD, and signs of ischemia.
Main Methods:
- 313 asymptomatic males underwent ambulatory ECG monitoring (mean 16.5 hours).
- Subjects subsequently underwent cardiac catheterization for occupational reasons.
- Ventricular ectopy occurrence and complexity were analyzed against coronary angiography findings.
Main Results:
- Ventricular ectopy was prevalent in 58% of subjects with normal coronary arteries.
- Complex ventricular ectopy occurred in 21% of normal subjects.
- No significant association was found between ventricular ectopy (extent or complexity) and CAD presence or severity.
Conclusions:
- Ventricular ectopy is frequently observed in asymptomatic males without significant CAD.
- The presence and complexity of ventricular ectopy do not correlate with coronary artery disease.
- Ectopy is not overrepresented in individuals with both CAD and ischemic evidence.
Abstract:
Ambulatory ECG recordings were obtained from 313 consecutive, totally symptom-free male subjects on whom cardiac catheterization was subsequently performed for occupational reasons. These recordings were examined for ventricular ectopy and the results were studied in relation to the findings on selective coronary angiography. Ventricular ectopy was a common finding, with 58% of those subjects with normal coronary artery anatomy having at least one ventricular premature beat during the period of monitoring (mean 16 1/2 hours), 22% having greater than one such complex per hour, and 10% having greater than 10 per hour. Complex ventricular ectopy was present in 21% of the normal subjects. No association between the extent or complexity of ventricular ectopy and the presence or grade of anatomic coronary artery disease was demonstrated, nor was ventricular ectopy overrepresented in those with both significant coronary artery disease on angiography and evidence of ischemia on provocative testing.