Frequent PVC is associated with LA enlargement in patients with normal LV EF. Atrial anatomical remodeling may precede LV geometry change and systolic dysfunction in patients with frequent PVCs.

PurposeAlthough adjuvant chemotherapy reduces the risk of disease recurrence in stage III colon cancer patients, published guidelines do not specify when it should be initiated. This study aimed to assess the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy initiation time on disease recurrence and survival in stage III colon cancer patients undergoing curative surgical resection.MethodsThe medical records of stage III colon cancer patients undergoing curative resection between February 2004 and December 2009 were reviewed.ResultsOf the 133 enrolled patients, 27 (20.3%) began adjuvant chemotherapy within 3 weeks of surgery, whereas 106 (79.7%) did after 3 weeks following surgery. Patients receiving chemotherapy within 3 weeks of surgery were less likely to experience recurrences than those beginning treatment later (11.1% vs. 33%, P = 0.018). The mean disease-free survival of patients receiving adjuvant therapy earlier was 54.6 months, whereas that of patients with later treatment was 43.5 months (P = 0.014). However, no significant differences in overall survival were observed between the 2 groups.ConclusionAdjuvant chemotherapy should be initiated as soon as a patient's clinical condition allows. Patients with stage III colon cancer may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy initiated within 3 weeks of surgery.