Open AccessElectrocardiographic features of the presence of occult myocardial disease in patients with VPD‐induced cardiomyopathy
Author(s) -
Im Sung Il,
Gwag Hye Bin,
Park Youngjun,
Park SeungJung,
Kim June Soo,
On Young Keun,
Park KyoungMin
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of arrhythmia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1883-2148
pISSN - 1880-4276
DOI - 10.1002/joa3.12324
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , qrs complex , cardiomyopathy , subclinical infection , ablation , heart failure
Background Frequent ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) can cause reversible cardiomyopathy (CMP). However, many patients maintain a normal left ventricular (LV) function with a high VPD burden. The electrocardiographic characteristics of VPD‐induced CMP have not been elucidated. Methods One hundred and eighty (91 men, age; 51 ± 15 years) patients with frequent idiopathic VPDs (>10% VPDs/day or >10 000 VPDs/day) were studied. All patients underwent successful ablation and were then divided into two groups according to the echocardiographic findings before and after the ablation procedure. Results Group A (n = 139) had a normal LV function with VPD frequencies, and Group B (n = 41) had reversible LV dysfunction after ablation. The VPD QRS duration (QRSd) was wider in patients with CMP (Group A vs Group B; 137.2 ± 12.0 milliseconds vs 159.7 ± 5.3 milliseconds, P < .001). VPDs with a terminal QRS delay marked by a notch followed by a discrete lower amplitude signal after the peak R wave in any precordial lead were identified. The incidence of terminal signals was higher in the CMP group (Group A vs Group B; 2.1% vs 53.6%, P < .001). Conclusions The wider VPD QRSd and terminal QRS delay in patients with VPD‐induced CMP suggest subclinical cell‐to‐cell conduction abnormalities as a potential factor predisposing VPD‐induced CMP.