June 17, 2026Open Heart0 citationsOpen Access
View Full PaperLong-term survival in patients with premature ventricular complexes and no structural heart disease
Key Result
Patients with premature ventricular complexes and no structural heart disease had a 10-year observed survival of 93%, exceeding the expected 86% survival of the matched general population.
Key Points
- This study aims to assess the long-term survival of patients with premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and no structural heart disease.
- Included 803 patients diagnosed with PVCs from three hospitals in Stockholm (2010-2016).
- All patients had normal echocardiography and stress test results, without structural heart disease history.
- Estimated relative survival using the Ederer II method compared to the age- and sex-matched Swedish population.
- Observed survival was higher than expected survival at 1 year (100% vs 99%), 5 years (97% vs 94%), 10 years (93% vs 86%), and 12 years (90% vs 82%).
- Relative survival rates were 100% at 1 year, 104% at 5 years, 109% at 10 years, and 111% at 12 years after diagnosis.
- Study suggests positive long-term outcomes for PVC patients without structural heart disease.
Study Design
Type
Cohort (n=803)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Does the presence of premature ventricular complexes affect long-term survival in patients without structural heart disease compared to the general population?
P
Population
803 patients (median age 59, 57% women) with premature ventricular complexes and no structural heart disease, followed for a median of 10 years.
C
Comparator
Age-matched, sex-matched, and calendar year-matched Swedish general population
O
Outcome
Long-term survival (observed vs expected survival at 1, 5, 10, and 12 years)hard clinical
Patients with premature ventricular complexes but no structural heart disease have excellent long-term survival that exceeds the general population, providing reassurance for this patient group.
Main Result
Effect estimate: Relative survival 109% at 10 years
Absolute Event Rate: 93% vs 86%
Abstract
Background Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are common and can cause concerns in both patients and their caregivers. In patients with structural heart disease, PVCs are associated with worse clinical outcomes. However, in patients without such disease, the prognostic implications of PVCs are more uncertain. Methods In this observational cohort study, we included patients who were diagnosed with PVCs at three major hospitals in Stockholm between 2010 and 2016. All included patients had normal results on echocardiography and stress test, and no history of structural heart disease. The expected survival from the age-matched, sex-matched and calendar year-matched Swedish population was obtained from the Human Mortality Database. Relative survival was estimated using the Ederer II method. Results A total of 803 PVC patients were included. Median age was 59 years, and 57% were women. In all, 185 (23%) patients had more than 10 000 PVCs per day and 86 (11%) had more than 20 000 PVCs per day. The observed survival was greater than the expected survival at 1, 5, 10 and 12 years (100% vs 99%, 97% vs 94%, 93% vs 86% and 90% vs 82%, respectively). The relative survival at 1, 5, 10 and 12 years was 100%, 104%, 109% and 111%, respectively. The median follow-up time was 10 years (maximum 14 years). Conclusions PVC patients without structural heart disease had a favourable long-term survival, exceeding the expected survival of the general population. These results suggest that most PVC patients without structural heart disease may be given a reassuring message.