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Temporal Patterns of Holter-Detected Arrhythmias in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients Treated with Mavacamten
Amro Badr1, Kaitlin Roehl1, Mustafa Suppah1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
Insights
Mavacamten treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may cause temporary arrhythmia changes. Long-term use appears electrophysiologically safe, but early rhythm monitoring is recommended for patients with HCM.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart condition causing thickened heart walls, potentially leading to outflow tract obstruction, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
- Mavacamten, a cardiac myosin inhibitor, improves hemodynamics and reduces obstruction in HCM patients.
- The drug's effect on arrhythmia burden is debated, with conflicting reports on early atrial fibrillation risk versus long-term arrhythmia reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal patterns of Holter-detected arrhythmias in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients receiving mavacamten.
- To assess the short-term and long-term electrophysiological effects of mavacamten on arrhythmia burden.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 27 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients from three Mayo Clinic sites.
- Collection of baseline demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic data.
- Holter monitoring at baseline, short-term (<6 months), and long-term (>6 months) follow-up to analyze premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
Main Results:
- A transient, non-significant increase in PACs, PVCs, and SVT duration was observed at short-term follow-up.
- Arrhythmia rates returned to baseline levels at long-term follow-up.
- No sustained or high-risk ventricular arrhythmias were detected during the study period.
Conclusions:
- Mavacamten treatment is linked to transient, early arrhythmic fluctuations in HCM patients.
- The drug demonstrates long-term electrophysiological safety regarding arrhythmia burden.
- Close monitoring of heart rhythm early in mavacamten treatment is crucial for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients.
Abstract:
Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic cardiomyopathy marked by increased left ventricular wall thickness, leading in some cases to left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Mavacamten, a selective allosteric inhibitor of cardiac myosin, has demonstrated benefits in improving hemodynamics and reducing LVOT obstruction. However, its impact on arrhythmic burden remains unclear, with reports of early atrial fibrillation (AF) risk contrasting with long-term reductions in arrhythmias. This study assesses the temporal patterns of Holter-detected arrhythmias in HCM patients treated with mavacamten. Methods: This retrospective study included HCM patients from three Mayo Clinic sites. Baseline demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic data were collected. Holter monitoring was performed at baseline, short-term (<6 months), and long-term (>6 months) follow-up. Arrhythmic events, including premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), were analyzed using standardized rates per 24 h. Statistical comparisons utilized the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Twenty-seven patients (56% female, median age 66 years) were included. PACs, PVCs, and SVT duration transiently but not significantly increased at short-term follow-up but returned to baseline at long-term follow-up. No sustained or high-risk ventricular arrhythmias were observed. Conclusions: Mavacamten is associated with transient arrhythmic fluctuations early in treatment, followed by stabilization. These findings support its long-term electrophysiological safety and underscore the need for early rhythm monitoring. Further research should explore its role in arrhythmic risk stratification in HCM patients.
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