Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias: Relevance to the anatomy, diagnosis and treatment

Takumi Yamada

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are ventricular tachycardias (VTs) or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) whose mechanisms are not related to myocardial scar. Idiopathic VAs occur most commonly without structural heart disease, but can occur with structural heart disease. Imaging tests, such as echocardiography, nuclear test, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, are helpful for excluding any association of an idiopathic VA occurrence with myocardial scar. Since catheter ablation emerged, the sites of idiopathic VA origins, commonly endocardial but sometimes epicardial, have been increasingly recognized. Idiopathic VAs usually originate from specific anatomical structures, and exhibit characteristic electrocardiograms based on their anatomical background. Idiopathic VAs are basically benign, but they require medical treatment or catheter ablation when idiopathic VAs are symptomatic, incessant, or produce left ventricular dysfunction. This review describes the up-to-date information on the prevalence of idiopathic VA origins relevant to the anatomy, and diagnosis, and treatment of idiopathic VAs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)463-471
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Cardiology
Volume68
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Japanese College of Cardiology

Keywords

  • Electrocardiogram
  • Idiopathic
  • Premature ventricular contraction
  • Treatment
  • Ventricular tachycardia

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