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Incidence of complex ventricular arrhythmias in asymptomatic patients with recent myocardial infarction
Insights
Frequent ventricular extrasystoles (VES) are common in patients after myocardial infarction, even without symptoms. Ambulatory electrocardiography is valuable for detecting these arrhythmias, though their long-term significance is unclear.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Ventricular extrasystoles (VES) are a common finding after myocardial infarction.
- The presence and significance of asymptomatic VES in uncomplicated myocardial infarction patients require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the incidence of VES in patients with recent uncomplicated myocardial infarction.
- To assess the characteristics and potential associations of VES in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- A 72-hour, two-channel ambulatory electrocardiogram was used to monitor 50 patients.
- Patients were selected based on recent, uncomplicated myocardial infarction and absence of symptoms, unstable angina, or heart failure.
Main Results:
- Ventricular extrasystoles (VES) were detected in 82% of patients.
- Multiform or complex VES were observed in 23/50 patients, and ventricular tachycardia in 8/50.
- VES incidence was independent of heart rate and stable angina pectoris.
Conclusions:
- Frequent and complex VES are prevalent in asymptomatic patients following uncomplicated myocardial infarction.
- Ambulatory electrocardiography is a useful diagnostic tool in this population, even without symptoms.
- The prognostic implications of asymptomatic complex VES in these patients remain undetermined.
Abstract:
The incidence of ventricular extrasystoles (VES) was documented in 50 patients with recent uncomplicated myocardial infarction, with a 72-h two-channel ambulatory electrocardiogram. All patients were free of symptoms of arrhythmias; unstable angina pectoris and heart failure were absent. A total of 82% of the patients had VES: 23/50 patients had multiform or complex VES, 8/50 patients had ventricular tachycardia. VES were independent of heart rate and stable angina pectoris. Thus, frequent and complex VES are common in asymptomatic patients with uncomplicated recent myocardial infarction. Even in the absence of symptoms, ambulatory electrocardiography is useful. The prognostic significance of asymptomatic complex VES in these patients remains unsettled.