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Background Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias in the form of frequent, monomorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVC) can cause PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (PICMP). The aim of this study was to determine the baseline echocardiographic characteristics and the time course and degree of recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with PICMP. Methods Study population consisted of 348 consecutive patients (205F/143M, 44 ± 19 y/o) with frequent PVCs and/or ventricular tachycardia. PICMP was defined as LV ejection fraction (LVEF) of <55% in the absence of any detectable underlying heart disease and improvement of LVEF ≥ 15% following treatment of ventricular arrhythmia. Patients with PCIMP underwent transthoracic echocardiography for LV size and function at 1 week and at 1-3 to 6-12 months of follow-up. Results Twenty-four patients (8F/16M, 47 ± 18 y/o) with PICMP with complete echocardiographic data were included in the study. Average baseline LV end-diastolic diameter, LV end-systolic volume, LV mass index, and LVEF were 55.4 ± 6.8 mm, 69.6 ± 23.3 mL, 110.2 ± 28.3 g/m2, and 41 ± 8.4%, respectively. Mild-to-moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) was present in 13 (54%) patients. Early improvement (≥25% increase in LVEF at 1-week follow-up compared to baseline) was observed in 13 (54%) patients. Patients with early improvement had higher LVEF at 12 months of follow-up compared to patients without early improvement (58.8 ± 5.0% vs 52.5 ± 6.7%, P = 0.019). Conclusions PCIMP is characterized by mild-to-moderate global LV systolic dysfunction with slightly increased LV mass and mild-to-moderate MR. Greatest improvement in LV systolic dysfunction was observed at 1-week follow-up in our study population. Early improvement in LVEF may potentially predict the complete reversibility of LV systolic dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 663-668, June 2011) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent clinical trials have documented beneficial reverse-remodeling effects with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CRT with or without reverse anatomical remodeling of the left ventricle on defibrillation threshold (DFT) levels in a prospective and consecutive group of patients with class II-IV systolic heart failure. Methods: Study population consisted of 29 patients (14 women and 15 men; mean age 61 ± 11 years old). All patients underwent baseline (within 24-hours of cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator [CRT-D] implantation) and 6-month follow-up DFT testing. Reverse anatomical remodeling of the left ventricle was defined as ≥15% reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume at the end of 6 months of follow-up compared to baseline. Results: Baseline, average DFT was 8.8 ± 5.9 J. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume was the only predictor of baseline DFT level (P = 0.02) among the baseline demographics. Safety margin of at least 10 J was achieved in all patients. Average DFT at the end of 6 months of biventricular pacing was 9.2 ± 6.9 J. One patient (3.4%) failed to have a safety margin of 10 J. Reverse anatomical remodeling was observed in 14 (48%) patients and did not have any effect on DFT level. There were no complications related to DFT testings. Conclusions: Baseline average DFT in patients undergoing CRT-D was ≤10 J in our study. CRT-D with or without anatomical reverse remodeling does not affect DFT at the end of 6 months of follow-up. High DFT level at the end of 6 months of follow-up is rare (3.4%) among patients with current CRT-D devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]