Effect of Flecainide in Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions and the Induced Cardiomyopathy—UNIFLECA: A Single Arm, Non-Randomized Trial: Review of the Literature and Initial Results

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Persistent high Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC) burden (>10%) may result in PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Current guidelines, supported by limited evidence, recommend flecainide for PVCs originating from the ventricular outflow tract (Class IIa). UNIFLECA is a prospective cohort study, aiming to assess the efficacy and safety of flecainide in PVC burden reduction in adults, irrespective of PVC origin, focusing secondarily on symptom relief and improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients suffering from PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. <b>Methods</b>: Participants were adults with frequent PVCs, defined as PVC burden > 5%, confirmed by two 24 h Holter recordings taken at least one month apart, who denied catheter ablation treatment. Patients who were deemed ineligible for catheter ablation were also included. A total of 50 patients were screened and 35 were administered Flecainide, with dosage adjustment based on follow-up Holter results and QRS increases. Changes in PVC burden, LVEF, symptomatic status, along with treatment adherence, were evaluated. <b>Results</b>: In adults with frequent PVCs, flecainide led to a significant reduction in PVC burden, with a mean decrease of 76.2% in the first month, and 63.1% of patients achieving a PVC burden reduction greater than 80%. <b>Conclusions</b>: UNIFLECA contributes to the understanding of how personalized, non-interventional therapeutic modalities can be employed to manage PVCs, especially for patients unwilling to have or ineligible for ablation procedures.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Personalized Medicine
Published
2025-03-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15040132
Citations
3
Primary Topic
Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.16
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article

Effect of Flecainide in Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions and the Induced Cardiomyopathy—UNIFLECA: A Single Arm, Non-Randomized Trial: Review of the Literature and Initial Results

Michail Botis, Dimitrios Varvarousis, Dimitris Tsiachris, Georgios Leventopoulos et al.
3 citations
Journal of Personalized Medicine
Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments
4.16
article

Effect of Flecainide in Idiopathic Premature Ventricular Contractions and the Induced Cardiomyopathy—UNIFLECA: A Single Arm, Non-Randomized Trial: Review of the Literature and Initial Results

Michail Botis, Dimitrios Varvarousis, Dimitris Tsiachris, Georgios Leventopoulos, Sotirios Kotoulas, Konstantinos P Tsioufis, Leonidas Poulimenos, Ioannis Doundoulakis, Athanasios Kordalis, Eleftherios M. Kallergis
article en
3 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Persistent high Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC) burden (>10%) may result in PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Current guidelines, supported by limited evidence, recommend flecainide for PVCs originating from the ventricular outflow tract (Class IIa). UNIFLECA is a prospective cohort study, aiming to assess the efficacy and safety of flecainide in PVC burden reduction in adults, irrespective of PVC origin, focusing secondarily on symptom relief and improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients suffering from PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. <b>Methods</b>: Participants were adults with frequent PVCs, defined as PVC burden > 5%, confirmed by two 24 h Holter recordings taken at least one month apart, who denied catheter ablation treatment. Patients who were deemed ineligible for catheter ablation were also included. A total of 50 patients were screened and 35 were administered Flecainide, with dosage adjustment based on follow-up Holter results and QRS increases. Changes in PVC burden, LVEF, symptomatic status, along with treatment adherence, were evaluated. <b>Results</b>: In adults with frequent PVCs, flecainide led to a significant reduction in PVC burden, with a mean decrease of 76.2% in the first month, and 63.1% of patients achieving a PVC burden reduction greater than 80%. <b>Conclusions</b>: UNIFLECA contributes to the understanding of how personalized, non-interventional therapeutic modalities can be employed to manage PVCs, especially for patients unwilling to have or ineligible for ablation procedures.

Journal of Personalized MedicineVol. 15(4)
General University Hospital of Patras (GR), University Hospital of Heraklion (GR), Hippocration General Hospital (GR)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments
4.16
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