title: Clinical manifestations of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in Korean patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical manifestations of the Korean patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) are not well known.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical data of Korean patients who met the Task Force Criteria for ARVC were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven patients (41.2+/-14.8 years old, 19 males) were diagnosed with ARVC. The commonest presenting symptoms were palpitations (30%), syncope/presyncope (30%) and no symptoms (30%). Four patients had a family history of premature sudden death or ARVC. Most patients with no symptoms were evaluated due to ECG abnormalities or asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias. Ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and frequent premature ventricular contractions only were observed in 35%, 5% and 24%, respectively. Wall motion abnormalities of the right and left ventricles were detected in 92% and 41%, respectively. Fatty or fibrofatty infiltration was observed in 26 of the 32 (81%) patients who underwent an endomyocardial biopsy. Two patients had signs of heart failure. Two patients with syncope/presyncope were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope and another was due to side effects from a medication. Most of the patients with ventricular arrhythmias were treated with beta-blockers and/or amiodarone. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) were implanted in 3 patients. During a mean follow-up of 27.4+/-26.5 months no syncope or sudden death developed except for in one patient with an ICD who suffered from recurrent shocks due to ventricular fibrillation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ARVC may be an important cause of syncope, ventricular arrhythmias, and ECG and wall motion abnormalities of the ventricles in Koreans. The Korean patients with ARVC exhibited various clinical manifestations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Taegu, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yongkeun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Taein
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Donggu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jang Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyeon Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Gui-Lyen
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Dong-Yeub
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yongwhi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyunsang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyungseop
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Jung-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Hyunjae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Bong-Ryull
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Deuk-Young
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Nah
authors.forename: Dong Heon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hun Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Shung-Chull
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Jae-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Wee-Hyun
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019571:Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D044466:Asian People; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged