Key result
Long runs (≥10 beats) of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on 24-hour ambulatory ECG predicted a higher risk of major arrhythmic events compared to no NSVT (10% vs 2% per year; P<0.05).
Why the study?
Does the length and rate of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on 24-hour ambulatory ECG predict major arrhythmic events in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?
Cohort (n=343)
Does the length and rate of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on 24-hour ambulatory ECG predict major arrhythmic events in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy?
In patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, the length (specifically >=10 beats) but not the rate of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on 24-hour ambulatory ECG is a strong predictor of major arrhythmic events.
May identify higher-risk idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy patients for monitoring; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
This study examined the prognostic significance of the rate and length of non-sustained (NS) ventricular tachycardia (VT) on 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms (ECG) recorded in 343 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) in the prospective Marburg Cardiomyopathy study. NSVT was defined as >/=3 consecutive ventricular premature beats at >120 bpm. During 52 +/- 21 months of follow-up, major arrhythmic events defined as sustained VT, VF, or sudden cardiac death occurred in 46 of 343 patients (13%). Patients with 3-4 beat runs of NSVT had a similar arrhythmia-free survival as patients without NSVT on baseline 24-hour ambulatory ECG. The incidence of major arrhythmic events during follow-up increased significantly from 2% per year in patients without NSVT, to 5% per year in patients with 5-9 beat runs of NSVT, to 10% per year in patients with >/=10 beat runs of NSVT (P < 0.05). Unlike the length, the rate of NSVT was similar in patients with versus without subsequent major arrhythmic events (163 +/- 23 vs 160 +/- 24 bpm). Thus, the length but not the rate of NSVT on 24-hour ambulatory ECG was a predictor of major arrhythmic events in patients with IDC. The presence of NSVT with >/=10 beat runs on ambulatory ECG was associated with a particularly high risk of major arrhythmic events.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Grimm et al. (2005) conducted a cohort in Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) (n=343). Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) length on 24-hour ambulatory ECG vs. No NSVT or shorter runs was evaluated on Major arrhythmic events (sustained VT, VF, or sudden cardiac death) (p=< 0.05). Long runs (≥10 beats) of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on 24-hour ambulatory ECG predicted a higher risk of major arrhythmic events compared to no NSVT (10% vs 2% per year; P<0.05).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: