Asymptomatic ventricular premature depolarizations are not necessarily benign
Kyoung-Min Park1, Sung Il Im2, Kwang Jin Chun2
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea kyongmin.park@gmail.com.
Summary
Asymptomatic patients with frequent ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) have a higher risk of developing left ventricular dysfunction. Lack of typical symptoms may indicate an increased risk for cardiomyopathy and adverse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Idiopathic ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) often cause symptoms, but some patients remain asymptomatic despite a high burden.
- The link between symptoms, arrhythmia burden, and cardiomyopathy is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between symptoms and left ventricular dysfunction in patients with frequent idiopathic VPDs.
- To identify potential risk factors for cardiomyopathy in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 801 patients with frequent VPDs (>1000 beats/day) was analyzed.
- Patients were categorized into symptomatic (n=455) and asymptomatic (n=346) groups based on typical VPD-related symptoms.
- Clinical and electrocardiogram parameters were compared between groups, with a focus on left ventricular dysfunction.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in daily VPD burden or electrocardiogram parameters were found between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups.
- The incidence of left ventricular dysfunction was significantly higher in asymptomatic patients (10.5%) compared to symptomatic patients (3.0%).
Conclusions:
- Absence of typical symptoms in frequent VPDs may be a risk factor for developing cardiomyopathy.
- Asymptomatic patients with frequent VPDs may face an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
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