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‘Frequent’ ventricular bigeminy – A reversible cause of dilated cardiomyopathy. How frequent is ‘frequent’?
Author(s) -
Shanmugam N.,
Chua T.P.,
Ward D.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1016/j.ejheart.2006.02.011
Subject(s) - medicine , bigeminy , cardiology , heart failure , context (archaeology) , dilated cardiomyopathy , radiofrequency ablation , cardiomyopathy , ablation , catheter ablation , ventricular tachycardia , paleontology , biology
An interesting development in the field of heart failure has been the link between frequent premature ventricular contractions and cardiomyopathy. We report a patient whose frequent ventricular bigeminy resulted in left ventricular impairment that resolved after the use of non‐contact mapping during radiofrequency ablation. A review of the literature regarding possible mechanisms is discussed. For the practicing clinician, the question of ‘frequent’ should be taken in context of symptoms and LV function. A single 24‐h Holter monitor may not truly reflect the ectopic load. We recommend that if there is associated LV dysfunction and a causal link to frequent PVCs then suppression with radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective treatment strategy.