Korean Circ J.  2015 Jul;45(4):294-300. 10.4070/kcj.2015.45.4.294.

Coupling Interval Ratio Is Associated with Ventricular Premature Complex-Related Symptoms

• Park KM
• Im SI
• Chun KJ
• Hwang JK
• Park SJ
• Kim JS
• On YK

• KMID: 1964101
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2015.45.4.294

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Frequent ventricular premature complex (VPC) is one of the most common arrhythmia syndromes. Symptoms observed frequently with this arrhythmia syndrome remain limited. We sought to identify predictors of VPC-related symptoms by analyzing demographic information, VPC burden, and VPC surface electrocardiogram characteristics.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
We prospectively enrolled 109 patients with idiopathic outflow tract VPCs (63 males, 49+/-16 years old). They were divided into Group A (n=30, without VPC-related symptoms of palpitations or "dropped beats") and Group B (n=79, with VPC-related symptoms). Measured parameters were sinus and VPC QRS width, coupling interval (CI) between the previous sinus beat and VPC, CI ratio (%, CI/sinus cycle length), post-VPC CI and CI ratio, and VPC amplitude.
RESULTS
Both groups had similar age (p=0.22), daily VPC burden (p=0.15), and VPC site of origin (p=0.36). The VPC CI ratio was higher in Group B (60+/-15%) than in Group A (49+/-22%) (p=0.01).
CONCLUSION
VPC-related symptoms are associated with a higher VPC CI ratio (>50%). The physiologic basis for these results deserves further study.

Keyword

Ventricular premature complexes; Arrhythmias, cardiac; Electrocardiography

MeSH Terms

Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Electrocardiography
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies
Ventricular Premature Complexes

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Examples of CI ratio in patients with or without symptoms. A. CI ratio in a patient without typical VPC-related symptoms. B. CI ratio in a patient with typical VPC-related symptoms. CI: coupling interval, VPC: ventricular premature complex, SCL: sinus cycle length.

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