The right ventricular outflow tract in patients with suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if right ventricular outflow tract dilatation occurs in patients with a clinical suspicion of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.


METHODS
Fifty patients referred to us with a clinical suspicion of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The area of the right ventricular outflow tract was estimated in 29 patients.


RESULTS
Out of the 29 subjects, eight had cardiac magnetic resonance findings suggestive of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. The mean area of the right ventricular outflow tract in these eight patients was significantly larger compared to normal controls without cardiac pathology.


CONCLUSIONS
The right ventricular outflow tract was enlarged in patients with cardiac magnetic resonance findings suggestive of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Routine assessment of this parameter should be considered in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging studies.
Santos
Alexandra
A
RM Caselas, Rua Carolina Angelo, 1400-045 Lisboa, Portugal. alexandrapintassilgo@hotmail.com
Thomas
Bobam
B
Tavares
Nuno Jalles
NJ
D019571:Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014694:Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / Q000473:pathology*