Radiofrequency catheter ablation of premature ventricular complexes improved left ventricular function in a non-responder to cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) have been demonstrated to cause tachycardiomyopathy in some individuals with a structurally normal heart. We report a patient with severe congestive cardiomyopathy which did not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Ambulatory monitoring and interrogation of the device memory revealed frequent monomorphic PVCs that were considered a potential cause of the failure of CRT. Radiofrequency ablation of the focus at the postero-inferior left ventricle eliminated the arrhythmia, with a resultant rapid improvement in the clinical status and echo parameters. As PVCs are often associated with severe heart failure, the presence of frequent extrasystoles may be an underrecognized cause of a non-response to resynchronization therapy.
Herczku
Csaba
C
Institute of Cardiology, University of Debrecen, Móricz Zsigmond krt. 22, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
Kun
Csaba
C
Edes
Istvan
I
Csanadi
Zoltan
Z
D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018879:Ventricular Premature Complexes / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*