title: Evolving role of multidetector computed tomography in evaluation of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to report 1 center's experience with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the evaluation of patients suspected to have arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C). RV dilatation/dysfunction is 1 of the most important criteria for establishing the diagnosis of ARVD/C. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most preferred imaging modality for the diagnosis of ARVD/C. However, many patients with suspected ARVD/C have implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, prohibiting the use of MRI. Thirty-one patients (19 men; mean age 41 +/- 12 years) referred for evaluation of known or suspected ARVD/C had a complete reevaluation including contrast-enhanced cardiac MDCT at the center. Two patients underwent both cardiac MRI and MDCT. Seventeen of 31 patients met Task Force criteria for ARVD/C and were confirmed to have ARVD/C. Multidetector computed tomographic images were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative characteristic findings of ARVD/C. Increased RV trabeculation (p <0.001), RV intramyocardial fat (p <0.001), and scalloping (p <0.001) were significantly associated with the final diagnosis of ARVD/C. RV volumes, RV inlet dimensions, and RV outflow tract surface area were increased in patients with ARVD/C compared with patients who did not meet the criteria. RV and left ventricular functional analysis was performed in 2 patients. In conclusion, cardiac MDCT has a strong potential to detect many qualitative and quantitative abnormalities of the right ventricle in patients with ARVD/C. Limitations include implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and motion artifacts, along with well-known radiation and contrast-induced reaction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Chandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bomma
authors.forename: Darshan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dalal
authors.forename: Harikrishna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tandri
authors.forename: Kalpana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prakasa
authors.forename: Khurram
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roguin
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piccini
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Mahesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahadevappa
authors.forename: Crystal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tichnell
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Joao A C
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Elliot
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Calkins
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bluemke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019571:Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed