Ventricular Extrasystole in Children: Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVE: Ventricular extrasystole is one of the most common rhythm disorders in children, and almost all of them are characterized by normal cardiac functions without structural cardiac abnormalities. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical course of ventricular extrasystole in children who did not have cardiac structural abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 24-hour rhythm Holter recordings performed in our clinic in children. Patients diagnosed with isolated ventricular extrasystole in Holter records and without structural heart disease on echocardiography were included in the evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 20 160 Holter results were evaluated in the study, and 226 patients (male; 66%) met the criteria. The mean follow-up time was 8.7 ± 3.2 years. While 81.8% of the patients were asymptomatic, the most common symptom was palpitation and 5 patients had syncope. Of the patients, 72 (31.8%) received medical therapy. Beta-blockers were the most often prescribed medication. Cardiomyopathy did not develop in any of the patients during the follow-up period. A partial reduction in the frequency of ventricular extrasystole was observed in 42% of the patients, while complete recovery was observed in 22%. CONCLUSION: Ventricular extrasystole in children generally has a good prognosis; most of them are asymptomatic, and the rates of spontaneous regression over time are quite high, regardless of the origin.