Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia: a case report and review of the literature.
A 19-year-old male presented to our hospital after an episode of syncope while playing soccer. He reported a family history of sudden death. Laboratory workup on admission was unremarkable. Electrocardiogram and 2-Dimensional Echocardiogram suggested heart disease involving the right ventricle. The patient had Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging that revealed a dilated right ventricle with global hypokinesis and high signal intensity due to fatty infiltration. The diagnosis of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia was made based on right precordial electrocardiographic features, family history and structural abnormalities seen on imaging. This case illustrates an important and underrecognized cause of sudden cardiac death in young adults, especially in athletes worldwide. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia is characterized by fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium leading to hypokinetic regions of the heart, ultimately causing failure and malignant arrhythmias. Early detection and appropriate placement of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in high risk patients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia greatly reduces the incidence of sudden cardiac death in these individuals.
Shafi
Nabil A
NA
University of Connecticut Health Center, USA. nshafi@resident.uchc.edu
Anglade
Moise W
MW
D000328:Adult; D019571:Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012916:Soccer