Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 11, 2025

Author Spotlight: Establishment and Confirmation of a Postnatal Right Ventricular Volume Overload Mouse Model
06:04

Author Spotlight: Establishment and Confirmation of a Postnatal Right Ventricular Volume Overload Mouse Model

Published on: June 9, 2023

1.1K

Premature ventricular contraction-induced ventricular dysfunction in children without structural heart disease: a

Francesco Flore1, Michele Lioncino1, Marianna Cicenia1

  • 1Paediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Arrhythmias Complex Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4, Rome 00165, Italy.

Europace : European Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Electrophysiology : Journal of the Working Groups on Cardiac Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology
|August 12, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) rarely cause cardiomyopathy in children. Higher PVC burden is the main risk factor, but most children recover normal heart function.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Cardiomyopathy Research

Background:

  • Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in children usually have a benign prognosis.
  • A subset of pediatric patients with PVCs may develop left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.
  • Risk factors for PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (CMP) in pediatric populations require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the prevalence of PVC-induced CMP in pediatric patients.
  • To identify and analyze risk factors associated with PVC-induced CMP in children with structurally normal hearts.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of original reports from January 2000 to August 2024.
  • Inclusion criteria: pediatric patients with PVCs and structurally normal hearts; exclusion criteria: adult patients, pre-existing cardiomyopathies, congenital heart diseases, or channelopathies.
  • Seventeen studies comprising 1,701 pediatric patients were included in the meta-analysis.

Main Results:

  • The mean PVC burden was 16%. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was observed in 40 patients, who were older at presentation.
  • Increased PVC burden was a significant risk factor for PVC-induced CMP (32.5% burden in affected vs. 15.47% in unaffected patients).
  • Shorter coupling intervals and longer QRS duration were identified as potential predictors in some studies. Left ventricular dysfunction resolved in most patients after PVC reduction, with Class IC drugs showing higher efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • PVC-induced CMP is uncommon in children, with PVC burden being the primary risk determinant.
  • The threshold for PVC burden leading to LV dysfunction is higher in pediatric patients compared to adults.
  • The majority of pediatric patients with PVC-induced CMP achieve normalization of LV function during follow-up.
Abstract

Keywords:
ArrhythmiasPaediatricsPremature ventricular contractionsStructurally normal heartVentricular dysfunction

More Related Videos

Dual-Dye Optical Mapping of Hearts from RyR2R2474S Knock-In Mice of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia09:36

Dual-Dye Optical Mapping of Hearts from RyR2R2474S Knock-In Mice of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Published on: December 22, 2023

1.3K
Isolation and Functional Characterization of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from Fresh Surgical Samples14:39

Isolation and Functional Characterization of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from Fresh Surgical Samples

Published on: April 21, 2014

17.5K

Related Concept Videos

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
1.2K
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias01:28

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
1.1K
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
48
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
53
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
164
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
22