Influence of baseline QRS on the left ventricular ejection fraction recovery after frequent premature ventricular complex ablation

Frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can induce or worsen left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We aimed to investigate the influence of the baseline QRS in the response after PVC ablation in patients with depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Two hundred and fifteen [59 ± 13 years old, 152 (71%) men] consecutive patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and frequent PVCs referred for ablation were included and followed-up for 12 months. Echocardiographic response was defined as an improvement of at least five absolute points in LVEF. Clinical, electrocardiogram, and electrophysiological characteristics were analysed. Mean baseline QRS duration was 110 ms [97–140]. Premature ventricular complex burden significantly decreased after ablation from 23% [16–33] at baseline to 1% [0–8] at 12 months, P < 0.001. Mean PVC burden reduction was 18 [8–30] points. There was a significant improvement of LVEF from 35% [29–40] at baseline to 44% [35–55] at 12 months, P < 0.001. One hundred and thirty (61%) patients were considered as echocardiographic responders. Baseline QRS duration (ms) [odds ratio (OR) 0.98 (0.97–0.99), P = 0.01] was an independent predictor of echocardiographic response. Mean LVEF improvement was 16 [10–21] points when the baseline QRS duration was <90 ms; 12 [4–20] when it was 90–110 ms; 5 [0–15] when it was 110 ± 130 ms; and 0 [0–6] points when it was >130 ms.

In patients with LV systolic dysfunction, intrinsic QRS duration is inversely related to the probability and the degree of echocardiographic response after frequent PVC ablation. Patients with a QRS duration >130 ms at baseline have the poorer response after ablation.