von Rotz et al identified factors associated with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in healthy young adults. The authors are from multiple institutions in Europe and North America.
Patient selection: apparently healthy young adults (some of the risk factors suggest that there may occult disease)
Outcome: premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
Risk factors for PVCs include:
(1) low educational status
(2) body height above the median
(3) obesity (high waist to hip ratio)
(4) elevated serum NT-proBNP
(5) low physical activity
(6) anemia
(7) low serum glucagon-like peptide-1
(8) high Sokolow-Lyon index (a measure of left ventricular hypertrophy)
A patient with multiple risk factors may benefit from screening and interventions to reduce the risk.
Other factors that may impact risk:
(1) cigarette smoking
(2) older age
(3) high intake of fruits and vegetables
