Significant reduction in the density of premature ventricular complex with ß-blocker medication in fast rate-dependent premature ventricular complex

Abstract

Abstract Background There is little data regarding types of idiopathic premature ventricular complex (PVC) according to heart rate dependence. Methods One hundred and sixty-eight patients with idiopathic PVC were enrolled in this study. Evaluation of the number of PVCs and total ventricular beats, and the density of PVC was done using 24 h Holter monitoring. Patients were divided into groups as having: fast rate-dependent (Group I), slow rate-dependent (Group II), and heart rate-independent PVC (Group III) based on the relationship between the number of hourly PVC and hourly heart rate. After ß-blocker medication, 24 h Holter monitoring was repeated. Results Among the 168 subjects, 66 (39.3%) patients were in Group I, 18 (10.7%) in Group II, and 84 (50.0%) in Group III. There were no significant differences in the baseline number of PVCs and total ventricular beats, and the density of PVC among the three groups. The number of PVCs was significantly reduced in patients with Group I (14,030 ± 11,463 beats/day vs. 7401 ± 10,464 beats/day, p < 0.001), and total ventricular beat was significantly reduced in patients with Group I (109,223 ± 17,564 beats/day vs. 96,182 ± 15,594 beats/day, p < 0.001) and Group III (106,515 ± 13,468 beats/day vs. 97,995 ± 12,960 beats/day, p < 0.001) after ß-blocker medication. The density of PVC was significantly reduced only in patients of Group I (12.9 ± 10.3% vs. 7.4 ± 10.3%, p = 0.001) after ß-blocker medication. Conclusions The type of PVC according to the heart rate dependence should be considered when treating idiopathic PVC with ß-blockers.