Premature Ventricular Contractions and Cardiomyopathy.

Overview

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are a common arrhythmia that may cause symptoms of variable severity. PVCs have recently garnered interest in their ability to induce adverse structural heart remodeling in an entity known as PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. This entity is a retrospective diagnosis that likely remains under-recognized and may occur concurrently with other forms of cardiomyopathy. The appropriate identification and management of PVCs in the setting of associated cardiomyopathy may have a significant impact on cardiac function and the clinical course, including recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction and improvement in patient functional status. Treatment consists of catheter ablation and/or antiarrhythmic drug therapy, but continued monitoring and follow-up are required, as the recurrence of high PVC burden may lead to redevelopment of cardiomyopathy.