TABLE 2.

Predictors of Ventricular Arrhythmias in the 108 Patients With ICDs

Clinical Characteristics	No Arrhythmia (n = 60)	Arrhythmia (n = 48)	p Value
Age at enrollment, yrs	41 ± 14	38 ± 14	0.413
Age at earliest symptom, yrs	37 ± 14	35 ± 15	0.609
Female	27 (45)	16 (33)	0.218
Affected (by Task Force Criteria)	37 (62)	40 (83)	0.013
Diagnostic criteria points (1994 criteria)	4.2 ± 1.0	4.3 ± 1.2	0.84
Arrhythmic events (VT/VF) before enrollment	34 (57)	45 (94)	<0.001
Syncope before enrollment	14 (23)	14 (29)	0.492
Syncope or VT/VF before enrollment	36 (60)	46 (96)	<0.001
Family history of sudden death	22 (42)	16 (36)	0.960
Follow-up, yrs	3.0 ± 1.8	3.5 ± 1.5	0.114
Heart transplant	2 (3)	1 (2)	1.000
Death	1 (2)	1 (2)	1.000
Antiarrhythmic drug treatment	19 (39)	34 (72)	<0.001
Beta-blockers	41 (84)	39 (83)	0.927
RVEF (%) by MRI, mean	43 ± 11	43 ± 13	0.334
LVEF (%) by MRI, mean	59.74 ± 6.42	55.65 ± 4.79	0.009
Negative T-wave in leads II, III, aVF	19 (32)	33 (69)	<0.001
QRS duration in V2, mean	0.103 ± 0.023	0.108 ± 0.021	0.055
fQRS40, mean	116.9	126.5	0.011
fQRS40 >120	16 (33)	21 (55)	0.041
VPBs (ventricular total >1,000/24 h)	25 (58)	18 (51)	0.553
Any induced VT or VF	30 (50)	33 (69)	0.050

Values are mean ± SD or n (%). Predictors of arrhythmias after ICD implantation included definite diagnosis of ARVC, VT/VF before enrollment, syncope or VT/VF before enrollment, antiarrhythmic drug treatment, negative T-wave in leads II, III, aVF, abnormal SAECG by fQRS40 mean and >140 ms, induced VT/VF. The 2 independent predictors of ICD treatment of ventricular arrhythmias were pre-implantation sustained VT/VF (p = 0.0029) and T-wave inversions inferiorly (p = 0.0159).

EPS = electrophysiologic study; VPB = ventricular premature beat; VF = ventricular fibrillation; other abbreviations as in Table 1.