Characteristics and Prevalence of Premature Ventricular Complex: A Telemedicine Study

Premature ventricular complex (PVC) is the etiology of cardiomyopathy known as PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Various studies have shown certain characteristics that predispose to cardiomyopathy. Present study was the first community-based study conducted to determine the characteristics and prevalence of PVC in certain population, especially Makassar City.

This study used a cross-sectional study method conducted from June 2017 to May 2018 using data from Telemedicine Electrocardiogram (ECG) at Hasanuddin University Hospital. The characteristics of PVC were QRS PVC duration, coupling interval (CI), PVC morphology in lead V1.

We calculated 8,847 ECGs, and found 98 ECGs with PVC (1.1%). Incidence of PVC was higher in women than men (52%). Characteristics of PVC with QRS duration include < 140 ms (45.9%); 140 - 159 ms (31.6%); and > 160 ms (22.4%), respectively; and PVC with CI < 300 ms (2%), CI 300 - 599 ms (88%), and CI > 600 ms (10%). Left bundle branch block (LBBB) and right bundle branch block (RBBB) morphology were found in (76.5%) and (19.4%) subjects in turn. Statistically, QRS PVC duration and PVC morphology showed significant differences based on age group (sequentially, P = 0.012 and P = 0.014). While gender only showed a significant difference in QRS PVC duration (P = 0.030).

The prevalence of PVC in the population of Makassar City is similar to the prevalence in other general populations. There are differences in the distribution and prevalence of PVC based on their characteristics according to age group and gender.