Are Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardias Predictive of Major Arrhythmias in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy on Optimal Medical Treatment?

Abstract

After medical stabilization, NSVT did not increase the risk of MVA in patients with DCM and LVEF < or = 0.35. Conversely, the number and length of NSVT runs were significantly related to the occurrence of MVA in the patients with LVEF > 0.35.

Arrhythmogenic Phenotype in Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Natural History and Predictors of Life‐Threatening Arrhythmias

“…Grimm et al found that NSVT with a duration of ≥5 beats was significantly associated with increased risk of major arrhythmic events including SCD 17. Furthermore, the heart rate in NSVT has been arbitrary,26, 27, 28 ranging from ≥100 to 150 bpm, and not associated with increased risk of life‐threatening arrhythmias and SCD in DCM 17, 18, 29. In our study, we arbitrarily defined NSVT as ≥5 consecutive ventricular premature beats with a rapid heart rate (≥150 bpm), corresponding to the median ventricular rate previously reported in our DCM population 29.…”

“…Furthermore, the heart rate in NSVT has been arbitrary,26, 27, 28 ranging from ≥100 to 150 bpm, and not associated with increased risk of life‐threatening arrhythmias and SCD in DCM 17, 18, 29. In our study, we arbitrarily defined NSVT as ≥5 consecutive ventricular premature beats with a rapid heart rate (≥150 bpm), corresponding to the median ventricular rate previously reported in our DCM population 29. The definition of PVCs >1000/24 h and ventricular couplets were based on the experience with left‐dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy 1.…”

Serum Markers of Collagen Turnover Predict Future Shocks in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Recipients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy on Optimal Treatment

“…Although many studies have explored the value of these techniques, the precise relationship between the presence of these abnormalities, some of which are persistently present, and the unpredictable occurrence of VT/VF has not been elucidated (17)(18)(19)(20). Even abnormalities in combinations of these techniques might fail to detect the precise pathophysiological abnormalities that precipitate VT or VF.…”

Risk stratification of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with systolic heart failure

“…The predictive value of NSVT was evaluated in the MACAS study, and longer runs ( greater than 10 beats) of NSVT were predictive of major arrhythmic events in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy [36]. Conversely, NSVT was not predictive of major ventricular arrhythmias in a recent study of 319 patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy [37].…”