title: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia in Iraq.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a disorder that involves replacement of the right ventricular myocardium with fibro-fatty tissue. Ventricular tachycardia is a main presenting feature. There are no known reports of this disease from the Arab countries in the Middle East. This is the first report of 34 patients from Iraq.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty four patients with ARVC/D diagnosed from January 2003 to May 2007 according to the International Task Force criteria were included in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients presented with ventricular tachycardia of left bundle branch block morphology. The following findings were seen on the 12-lead electrocardiography during sinus rhythm: T wave inversion V1-V3 or beyond in 80%, epsilon wave in 28%, and parietal block in 48%. Right ventricular enlargement by echocardiography was seen in 69%. Twenty two per cent had a family history of sudden cardiac death. All patients were treated with implanted cardioverter-defibrillators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ARVC/D is a disease seen in Iraq. It requires a high diagnostic suspicion with verification using the international task force criteria.
authors.affiliation: The University Hospital, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Kadhimiya, Baghdad, Iraq. amar_alhamdi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Amar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Hamdi
authors.forename: Tahseen Ali
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Al-Kinani
authors.forename: Adnan Taan
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Al-Khafaji
authors.forename: Mouayed Basheer
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hamed
authors.forename: Mohammed Hashim
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Al-Mayahi
authors.forename: Nazar Hassan
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Al-Sudani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019571:Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000453:epidemiology; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004452:Echocardiography; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult