Left and Right PVC-Induced Ventricular Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND

Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can result in a reversible form of cardiomyopathy that usually affects the left ventricle (LV).

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess whether frequent PVCs have an impact on right ventricular (RV) function.

METHODS

Serial cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) studies were performed in a series of 47 patients before and after ablation of frequent PVCs.

RESULTS

Patients with RV cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction [EF] <0.45) had more frequent PVCs than did patients without decreased RV function (23% ± 11% vs 15% ± 11%, P = 0.03). Likewise, patients with LV cardiomyopathy (EF <0.50) had more frequent PVCs than did patients without decreased LV function (23% ± 10% vs 14% ± 12%, P = 0.003). LV dysfunction was present in 21 patients (45%). In patients with LV dysfunction, 15 patients (32%) had biventricular dysfunction, and 6 patients (13%) had isolated LV dysfunction. A total of 19 patients (40%) had RV dysfunction, and 4 of the patients with RV dysfunction (9%) had isolated RV dysfunction. Cardiac magnetic resonance was repeated 1.9 ± 1.3 years after ablation. In patients with successful ablation, RV function improved, and in patients without successful ablation, RV function did not significantly change (before and after ablation RVEF 0.45 ± 0.09 and 0.52 ± 0.09; P < 0.001 vs. 0.46 ± 0.07 and 0.48 ± 0.04; P = 0.14, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Frequent PVCs can cause RV cardiomyopathy that parallels LV cardiomyopathy and is reversible with successful ablation.