Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Burst Exercise Stress Testing in Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Retrospective cohort study
- 2 tertiary referral centers
Authors' conclusion
In this cohort study, the Burst exercise stress testing protocol detected a greater burden and severity of ventricular arrhythmias than the Bruce protocol in patients with CPVT, frequently prompting treatment escalation without observed safety concerns.
Study context
- Population
- Pediatric and adult patients evaluated for catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) who had undergone consecutive Bruce and Burst exercise tests, Vancouver, Canada, 2017–202438 screened
- Participants
- 28 participants
- Exposure
- Burst vs Bruce exercise stress testing protocol
- Outcome
- Ventricular Arrhythmia Score (0 = no premature ventricular contractions to 4 = nonsustained VT)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Ventricular Arrhythmia Score
Burst
3
median · IQR 2–4
Bruce
1
median · IQR 1–2
P < 0.001
- Burst provoked more severe arrhythmias
- 20 of 28 patients (71%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
β-blocker or flecainide initiation or dose escalation
- Therapy initiated or escalated after Burst findings
- 13 patients (65%)
Safety
Adverse safety events
- No adverse safety events occurred
Original publication
Burst Exercise Stress Testing in Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia. JAMA Cardiol. Published 1 May 2026. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2026.0384
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it