Prevalence of Frequent Premature Ventricular Contractions and
Left-ventricular systolic dysfunction In Patients Receiving Holter
Monitoring
Abstract
Background: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are
frequently observed with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction,
although the prevalence of these associated conditions in the general
population remains unknown. Objective: We sought to understand
the prevalence of frequent PVCs (defined PVCs>5%) and high
burden PVCs (defined PVCs>10%) and LV systolic dysfunction
in patients receiving ambulatory Holter monitors (HM). Methods:
A prospective multicenter (8 US medical centers) cross-sectional study
collected demographic and PVC burden data from consecutive patients
undergoing 24-hour, 48-hour, and 14-day HM (July 2018-June 2020). Left
ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) data was collected if obtained within
6 months of HM. Four PVC burden groups were analyzed (<1%,
1-5%, 5.1-10% and >10% burden) and stratified by normal
LVEF (≥50%) or presence LVEF<50%. Results: The
prevalence of PVC burden of 5.1-10% and >10% was 4% and
5%, respectively in the population undergoing HM (n=6,529). Age was
significantly different between PVC groups (p<0.001). In those
with LVEF assessment (n=3,713), the prevalence of LVEF<50% and
both LVEF<50% and PVC>5% was 16.4% and 4.2%,
respectively. The prevalence of PVC>5% and
PVC>10% in patients with LVEF<50% was 26% and
16%, respectively. PVC>5% were more prevalent in older,
male, and Caucasians (p<0.001). Females had a lower prevalence
of PVC>5% than males (6% vs. 11%; p<0.001), but
not among those with LVEF<50% (24% vs. 26%, p=0.10).
Conclusion: PVC>5% and PVC>10% and
LVEF<50% are prevalent in patients undergoing HM.
PVC>5% are associated with older age. Females have a lower
prevalence of PVC>5% than males but similar combined
PVC>5% and LVEF<50%.