Premature ventricular contractions and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia:Association with sudden cardiac death, risk stratification, and management strategies

Seth H. Sheldon, Joseph J. Gard, Samuel J. Asirvatham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) are frequently encountered and a marker of electrocardiomyopathy. In some instances, they increase the risk for sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death. While often associated with a primary cardiomyopathy, they have also been known to cause tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in patients without preceding structural heart disease. Medical therapy including beta-blockers and class III anti-arrhythmic agents can be effective while implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICD) are indicated in certain patients. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the preferred, definitive treatment in those patients that improve with anti-arrhythmic therapy, have tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy, or have certain subtypes of PVCs/NSVT. We present a review of PVCs and NSVT coupled with case presentations on RFA of fascicular ventricular tachycardia, left-ventricular outflow tract ventricular tachycardia, and Purkinje arrhythmia leading to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)357-371
Number of pages15
JournalIndian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal
Volume10
Issue number8
StatePublished - Aug 2010

Keywords

  • Ablation
  • PVC
  • Premature ventricular contractions
  • Sudden death
  • Ventricular tachycardia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Physiology (medical)

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