Varenicline and Ventricular Ectopy After Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Phase 2 Study
Primary result · Reduction in PVC burdenResult — go to the resultDifference 60.1 percentage points 95% CI 21.3–98.8Authors' conclusion
In this phase 2 trial, varenicline significantly reduced PVC burden and nonsustained VT incidence in post-MI patients without evidence of a proarrhythmic effects.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) (≥1,000/24 h) on 72-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring at ≥4 weeks post-MIrandomised
- Participants
- 118 adults
- Comparison
- Varenicline vs placebo
- Primary endpoint
- Percentage change in 24-hour PVC count from baseline
- Follow-up
- Week 6
Methodological detailsexploratory, proof-of-concept phase 2, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Exploratory, proof-of-concept phase 2
- Multicentre
- Double-blind
- Placebo-controlled
Primary result
Reduction in PVC burden
Difference
60.1 percentage points
95% CI 21.3–98.8
P = 0.001
Varenicline vs Placebo
difference 60.1 percentage points (95% CI 21.3–98.8); P = 0.001
As reported in the abstract
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Varenicline | Placebo | RR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Responder rate (≥50% reduction in PVC count) | 67.8% | 30.5% | 2.22 (1.46–3.39) | P < 0.0001 | |
| Nonsustained VT incidence | 20.3% | 37.3% | 0.49 (0.29–0.85) | P = 0.007 | |
| 0.20.5125Relative risk (log scale) |
| Outcome | Varenicline | Placebo | Estimate | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deaths or malignant ventricular arrhythmias; adverse events | 0 events | Not reported in the abstract | Placebo: not reported in the abstract |
Deaths or malignant ventricular arrhythmias; adverse events
- No deaths or malignant ventricular arrhythmias with varenicline
- Comparable adverse event rates between groups
Original publication
Varenicline and Ventricular Ectopy After Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Phase 2 Study. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published 4 March 2026. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it