Clinical Characterization of Arrhythmia-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Patients With Tachyarrhythmia and Idiopathic Heart Failure.

Background: Arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy (AIC) is a known entity, but prospective evidence for its characterization is limited.

Objectives: This study aimed to: 1) determine the relative frequency of the pure form of AIC in the clinically relevant cohort of patients with newly diagnosed, otherwise unexplained left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and tachyarrhythmia; 2) assess the time to recovery from LVSD; and 3) identify parameters for an early diagnosis of AIC.

Methods: Patients were prospectively included, underwent effective rhythm restoration, and were followed-up at 2, 4, and 6 months to evaluate clinical characteristics, biomarkers, and cardiac imaging including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.