Prognostic role of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in a large cohort of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background. The identification of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) at higher risk of sudden death (SD) is still an unsolved issue, and the role of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) uncertain. Methods. The effect of NSVT on total mortality, SD and life-threatening arrhythmias was evaluated in 554 patients with IDC on optimal medical treatment and at long-term follow-up (81 ± 58 months). Results. At diagnosis, 240 patients (43%) had NSVT at Holter monitoring and 314 (57%) did not. During follow-up, 189 patients (5/100 patients-year) died or underwent heart transplantation; SD occurred in 53 patients (1.4/100 patients-year); SD + non-fatal ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 75 patients (2/100 patients-year). Patients with and without NSVT at diagnosis had the same 5-year transplant-free survival rate (76 vs 76%, p = NS) and a similar incidence of SD (10 vs 7%, p = NS). The length and rate of NSVT did not show any significant relationship with the outcome.