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Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.
D Fatkin1, J Hickie, C Thorburn
1Department of Cardiology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine
|August 1, 1991
Summary
Young patients with unexplained ventricular arrhythmias may have arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. This condition can cause exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) and systemic embolisation, requiring exclusion in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Recurrent exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias in young individuals pose diagnostic challenges.
- Systemic embolisation is a rare but serious complication of ventricular arrhythmias.
Observation:
- A 23-year-old man presented with recurrent exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT).
- VT was catecholamine-sensitive, reproducible with exercise and electrical stimulation, suggesting enhanced automaticity and re-entry.
- Echocardiography and heart pool scan revealed localized right ventricular dyskinetic bulging.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD).
- ARVD can manifest as exercise-induced VT and lead to systemic embolisation.
- Diagnostic features included localized right ventricular abnormalities.
Implications:
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia should be considered in young patients with unexplained ventricular arrhythmias.
- Early diagnosis and management of ARVD are crucial to prevent complications like systemic embolisation.
- This case highlights the importance of comprehensive evaluation for ARVD in specific patient populations.