Korean Circ J.  2015 Sep;45(5):391-397. 10.4070/kcj.2015.45.5.391.

Clinical Characteristics and Features of Frequent Idiopathic Ventricular Premature Complexes in the Korean Population

• Hwang JK
• Park SJ
• On YK
• Kim JS
• Park KM

• KMID: 2223803
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2015.45.5.391

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Frequent ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) increase the risk of cardiomyopathy (CMP). However, most data regarding VPCs have been obtained from Western population and in-hospital patient-based studies. The objective of this study was to define the clinical characteristics and features of idiopathic VPCs in the Korean population.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
We investigated subjects undergoing transthoracic echocardiography and documented VPC burdens >1% by Holter monitoring in an outpatient clinic at Samsung Medical Center, Korea. We analyzed demographic and clinical features and the nature of the VPCs by electrocardiography (ECG).
RESULTS
A total of 666 patients were registered. Mean age was 54.7+/-16.8 years, and 365 (54.8%) patients were female. Typical VPC-related symptoms, such as palpitation and a dropped beat, were observed in 394 (59.2%) patients. Some patients received beta-blockers (n=95; 14.3%) and anti-arrhythmic agents (n=14; 2.1%). The ECG analysis was performed in 405 patients; 322 (79.5%) exhibited left bundle branch block (LBBB) and 347 (85.8%) exhibited an inferior axis. The precordial R-wave transition was predominantly distributed over V3 in 230 patients (56.6%). Thirty-one patients (4.5%) were diagnosed with VPC-induced CMP.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of frequent VPCs was slightly higher in females, and palpitation was the most frequent complaint. The most common ECG features were LBBB, inferior axis, and late precordial R-wave transition.

Keyword

Ventricular premature complexes; Cardiomyopathies; Electrocardiography; Korean

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Bundle-Branch Block
Cardiomyopathies
Echocardiography
Electrocardiography
Electrocardiography, Ambulatory
Female
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Ventricular Premature Complexes*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Study scheme. Search flow diagram of the study population. VPCs: ventricular premature complexes, AF: atrial fibrillation, AFL: atrial flutter, AT: atrial tachycardia, NSVT: non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, SVT: sustained ventricular tachycardia, IHD: ischemic heart disease, SHD: structural heart disease, LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction, ECG: electrocardiography.

• 

  Fig. 2 Age distribution of the study population. The prevalence of ventricular premature complexes was slightly higher in females than that in males, particularly in 40-60 year old women. The peak age for females was 50-70 years; however the peak age for males was 60-80 years. Age was normally distributed in the study population.

• 

  Fig. 3 Regional distribution of study population on the Korean peninsula. The regional distribution of the study population was: Seoul 334 (50.2%), Gyeonggi-do 185 (27.8%), Chungcheongnam-do 25 (3.8%), Gyeongsangbuk-do 20 (3.0%), Gangwon-do 12 (1.8%), Chungcheongbuk-do 12 (1.8%), Daejeon 11 (1.7%), Daegu 11 (1.7%), Busan 10 (1.5%), Jeollanam-do 9(1.4%), Gyeongsangnam-do 9 (1.4%), Incheon 7 (1.1%), Gwangju 7 (1.1%), Jeollabuk-do 5 (0.8%), Jeju 4 (0.6%), and Ulsan 3 (0.5%). The regional distribution of ventricular premature complex-induced cardiomyopathy on the Korean peninsula was not significant (p=0.510).

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