Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions with an enlarged left atrium in patients without structural heart diseases

Idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) may cause subtle changes in left atrium (LA) structure and function. The authors of an article published in Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications investigated whether serum sodium, body mass index (BMI), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and other characteristics might be associated with LA in these patients.

A total of 268 consecutive patients diagnosed with idiopathic PVCs were retrospectively analyzed. Researchers assessed associations of enlarged LA and with the clinical features obtained from 24-hour Holter monitoring, electrocardiography and serum data in patients with PVCs.

Patients with an enlarged LA (n = 101), compared with a normal LA (n = 167), had significantly lower serum sodium (140.9 ± 3.0 mmol/L vs. 141.7 ± 2.8 mmol/L; P = 0.022), higher BMI (24.5 ± 2.7 kg/m² vs. 21.7 ± 2.5 kg/m²; P < 0.001), higher NT-proBNP [99.3 (193.6) pg/mL vs. 77.8 (68.8) pg/mL; P < 0.001] and lower average heart rates (73.0 ± 8.0 bpm vs. 75.3 ± 7.6 bpm; P = 0.019).

No significant differences were observed in P-wave dispersion, QRS duration, PVC coupling interval, pleomorphism, circadian rhythm, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, serum potassium, serum magnesium, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, symptoms and PVC duration.

Beyond the burden of PVCs, attributes such as serum sodium, BMI, NT-proBNP and average heart beats may potentially correlate with LA enlargement in individuals with idiopathic PVCs, conclude the authors.

More information:
Xue Kuang et al, Clinical Characteristics and Features of Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions with an Enlarged Left Atrium in Patients Without Structural Heart Diseases, Cardiovascular Innovations and Applications (2024). DOI: 10.15212/CVIA.2023.0094

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