title: Genetics of myocarditis in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Myocarditis occasionally is related to arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) and sometimes overlaps during the early stages, which may lead to misdiagnosis. Acute myocarditis may reflect an active phase of ARVD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the genetic basis of myocarditis in ARVD and to investigate the association with a poorer prognosis and a higher risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups were analyzed: group A, which consisted of 131 affected patients-84 with ARVD (62% male, age 45 years [range 33-55 years]) and 47 with left-sided forms (arrhythmogenic left ventricular dysplasia [ALVD]) (47% male, age 45 years [range 25-61 years]); and group B, which consisted of 64 nonaffected mutation-carrying relatives (36% male, age 42 years [range 22-56 years]; 23 from classic ARVD families and 41 from ALVD families).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients (3.5%) presented with a clinical diagnosis of acute myocarditis over median follow-up of 34 months. Myocarditis was the first clinical presentation in 6 of 7 cases. In 2 patients, acute myocarditis preceded worsening of left ventricular systolic function. In 1 case, myocarditis was associated with an increased gadolinium pattern in cardiac magnetic resonance. Two patients presented with ECG changes weeks after myocarditis resolution. Myocarditis preceded the development of ventricular tachycardia in 2 other patients. Myocarditis clustered in families bearing DSP Q447* and LDB3 c.1051A>G.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute myocarditis reflects an active phase of ARVD that leads to changes in phenotype and abrupt progression of the disease. An active phase should be suspected in a patient with myocarditis associated with a family history of ARVD. Certain mutations may increase the susceptibility to superimposed myocarditis in ARVD.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lopez-Ayala
authors.affiliation: Reina Sofia University Hospital, Murcia, Spain; University of Murcia Medical School, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pastor-Quirante
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Josefa
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Carrillo
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lopez-Cuenca
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Jose
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Munoz
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Jose
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Oliva-Sandoval
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain; University of Murcia Medical School, Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: jgimeno@secardiologia.es.
authors.forename: Juan Ramon
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gimeno
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D019571:Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D018389:Codon, Nonsense; D051180:Desmoplakins / Q000235:genetics*; D003896:Desmosomes / Q000235:genetics; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D062072:Patient Acuity; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D018389:Codon, Nonsense; C495294:DSP protein, human; D051180:Desmoplakins; C120696:LDB3 protein, human; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins
keywords: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia; Desmoplakin; Genetics; LDB3; Myocarditis