Key result
Female sex is linked to ~125% higher odds of persistent PVCs in healthy children.
Why the study?
Although premature ventricular complexes are generally benign in healthy children, persistent high burden can occur and potentially relate to ventricular tachycardia or left ventricular dysfunction.
Cohort (n=113)
No
Odds Ratio: 2.25 (95% CI 1–5.06)
Absolute Event Rate: 52.4% vs 36.6%
p-value: p=0.050
In healthy children with structurally normal hearts, older age at PVC onset and female sex predict a higher likelihood of persistent, unresolved PVCs, warranting closer monitoring in these subgroups.
May guide risk stratification for PVC follow-up in children; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before practice change.
BACKGROUND: Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) are generally benign in healthy children, but in some cases, a persistent high PVC burden may be observed, potentially related to ventricular tachycardia or left ventricular dysfunction. This study explores the natural history of PVCs in children with structurally normal hearts and identifies factors associated with unresolved PVCs. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed demographic and clinical data from children < 18 years of age with confirmed PVCs, including 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and 24-h Holter monitoring data. RESULTS: A total of 113 children (mean age 8.35 ± 5.28 years, 71 males [62.8%]) were included. The mean follow-up duration was 44.9 ± 44.8 months. PVC burden at initial diagnosis was 13.54 ± 12.53%. During follow-up, 44.2% of patients showed complete PVC improvement, 13.3% partial improvement, and 42.5% persistent. Older age at the initial onset and female sex were associated with unresolved PVCs (per 1-year increase: OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18, P = 0.027; females: OR 2.25, 95% CI: 1.00-5.06, P = 0.050). CONCLUSION: Older age at onset and female sex were predictors of unresolved PVCs in healthy children, highlighting the need for tailored monitoring for these subgroups, despite the generally favorable prognosis of PVCs.
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Choi et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Premature ventricular complexes (n=113). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Unresolved (persistent) premature ventricular complexes (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.00-5.06, p=0.050). Female sex and older age at initial onset were significant predictors of unresolved premature ventricular complexes in healthy children, with females having 2.25 times the odds of persistent PVCs.
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