Structural heart disease and premature ventricular contractions in recovery of exercise

The study evaluated echocardio graphic abnormalities (reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, valvular heart disease, LV dilatation, LV hypertrophy, or increased filling pressures) and PVCs during recovery (≥1/min) were identified among patients having undergone echocardio graphy within median [interquartile range] 0 [0-2] days of an exercise stress test. The association between such changes and cardiovascular mortality was analyzed using Cox regression adjusted for age, sex, clinical and exercise variables.

Authors concluded that PVCs during recovery were associated with increased prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities. Increased risk of cardiovascular mortality was observed only for subjects with PVCs if concomitant echocardio graphic abnormalities were present. Our findings provide mechanistic insights to the increased CV risk reported in patients with PVCs during recovery.