[Two-dimensional echocardiographic findings in a case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia]

Two-dimensional echocardiographic findings in a patient with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia ( ARVD ) were described. A 38-year-old male was admitted to our hospital on January 1982 because of palpitation and dyspnea caused by ventricular tachycardia. A cardiothoracic ratio was 45% and electrocardiogram revealed right axis deviation and T wave inversion in right precordial leads. A QRS configuration during ventricular tachycardia showed left bundle branch block pattern. The right ventriculogram showed dilatation and diffuse hypokinesis of the right ventricle, although the left ventriculogram and the coronary angiogram were normal. Histological findings of both right and left ventricular tissues obtained by endomyocardial biopsy revealed myocytolysis, scarcity of myofibrils and proliferation of collagen fibers, and the final diagnosis of ARVD was established. Echocardiographic examination disclosed right ventricular and right atrial dilatations, hypokinesis of the right ventricular anterior wall and abnormal motion of the interventricular septum. These seemed to be diagnostic of this condition, if right ventricular volume overload including atrial septal defect, endocardial cushion defect, Ebstein's anomaly, tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary regurgitation was clinically excluded.