Classification and risk stratification of premature ventricular beats in the athlete
| Common | Uncommon | |
| PVB characteristics | ||
| Ectopic QRS morphology | LBBB/inferior axis, typical RBBB and narrow QRS (<130 ms) | LBBB/intermediate or superior axis, atypical RBBB and wide QRS (≥130 ms) |
| Response to exercise testing | Decrease/suppression | Persistence/increase |
| Complexity of PVBs | Isolated, monomorphic | Repetitive‡, polymorphic |
| Short coupling interval* | No | Yes |
| Clinical findings | ||
| Symptoms | No | Yes |
| Family history of premature SCD† or cardiomyopathy | No | Yes |
| Other ECG abnormalities | No | Yes |
| Imaging abnormalities | No | Yes |
*PVBs are superimposed on the preceding T-wave peak or earlier (ie, R on T).
†Premature sudden cardiac death (SCD) is defined as that occurring before 40 years of age in men and before 50 years old in women.
‡Couplets, triplets or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia.
LBBB, left bundle branch block; PVBs, premature ventricular beats; RBBB, right bundle branch block.