Reversal of dilated cardiomyopathy by the elimination of frequent left or right premature ventricular contractions.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

RF ablation of frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVC) has recently been shown to improve left ventricular (LV) systolic function and dimensions in a few patients, however mainly when they originated from the right ventricular outflow tract.

METHODS:

RF ablation was performed at various ventricular locations in six consecutive patients with frequent, isolated PVC associated with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Baseline clinical status, PVC counts, LV ejection fraction (EF) and end-diastolic diameter (EDD) were recorded at baseline and at 6 months of follow-up.

RESULTS:

PVC ablation was performed in the right ventricle in four patients, the left ventricle in two patients. Before RF ablation, five patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I, and one patient was in class II. After RF ablation, the mean PVC count/24 h decreased from 17,717 +/- 7,100 to 268 +/- 366 (p = 0.006) while LVEF increased from 42 +/- 2.5% to 57 +/- 3% (p = 0.0001) and LVEDD decreased from 60.0 +/- 3.5 to 54.0 +/- 3.7 mm (p = 0.0009). The clinical status normalized with regression of palpitations and NYHA class.

CONCLUSIONS:

Elimination of frequent isolated PVC in patients with DCM with RF can normalize the clinical status and LV systolic function and dimensions, regardless of the morphology or origin of the PVC.

• Authors: Jerome M Taieb, Philippe Maury, Dipen Shah, Alexandre Duparc, Michel Galinier, Marc Delay, Ronan Morice, Ali Alfares, Claude Barnay
• Journal: Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing (J Interv Card Electrophysiol) Vol. 20 Issue 1-2 Pg. 9-13 (Nov 2007) ISSN: 1383-875X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 17940858 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Topics

• Cardiomyopathy, Dilated (complications, surgery)
• Catheter Ablation (methods)
• Electrocardiography
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Secondary Prevention
• Treatment Outcome
• Ventricular Premature Complexes (etiology, prevention & control)