2019 HRS expert consensus statement on evaluation, risk stratification, and management of arrhythmogenic
Jeffrey A Towbin1, William J McKenna2, Dominic J Abrams3
1Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee; University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
Insights
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a complex heart muscle disorder. This consensus provides clinical guidance on evaluating and managing ACM, covering genetics, disease mechanisms, and exercise recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Pathology
Background:
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) encompasses diverse disorders affecting heart muscle.
- It is distinct from ischemic, hypertensive, or valvular heart disease.
- ACM phenotypes overlap with other cardiomyopathies, like dilated cardiomyopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide clinicians with guidance on ACM evaluation and management.
- To present clinically relevant information on ACM genetics and disease mechanisms.
- To offer evidence-based recommendations on exercise in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized PICO questions to evaluate contemporary evidence.
- Conducted a systematic literature search with evidence tables.
- Developed recommendations based on expert consensus and clinical experience.
Main Results:
- Recommendations are presented using the ACC/AHA Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence system.
- Guidance covers evaluation, management, genetics, and disease mechanisms of ACM.
- Specific focus on exercise recommendations for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
Conclusions:
- ACM is a spectrum of disorders with a significant genetic basis.
- Understanding triggers and common pathways is crucial for disease and arrhythmia development.
- This consensus provides essential context for current knowledge in ACM.
Abstract:
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an arrhythmogenic disorder of the myocardium not secondary to ischemic, hypertensive, or valvular heart disease. ACM incorporates a broad spectrum of genetic, systemic, infectious, and inflammatory disorders. This designation includes, but is not limited to, arrhythmogenic right/left ventricular cardiomyopathy, cardiac amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, Chagas disease, and left ventricular noncompaction. The ACM phenotype overlaps with other cardiomyopathies, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy with arrhythmia presentation that may be associated with ventricular dilatation and/or impaired systolic function. This expert consensus statement provides the clinician with guidance on evaluation and management of ACM and includes clinically relevant information on genetics and disease mechanisms. PICO questions were utilized to evaluate contemporary evidence and provide clinical guidance related to exercise in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Recommendations were developed and approved by an expert writing group, after a systematic literature search with evidence tables, and discussion of their own clinical experience, to present the current knowledge in the field. Each recommendation is presented using the Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence system formulated by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association and is accompanied by references and explanatory text to provide essential context. The ongoing recognition of the genetic basis of ACM provides the opportunity to examine the diverse triggers and potential common pathway for the development of disease and arrhythmia.
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