Research article summary (published 29 Nov 2003):

[The arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)]

(Die arrhythmogene rechtsventrikuläre Cardiomyopathie (ARVC)Typische Befunde anhand eines Fallbeispieles.)

Full Abstract

The following report illustrates the case of a 40-year old patient, who was transferred to our hospital because of a symptomatic sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). The documented VT showed typical left bundle branch block morphology with an inferior axis, which was accompanied by repolarization abnormalities in the right precordial leads, as revealed by the surface ECG. While coronary angiography allowed the exclusion of an obstructive coronary heart disease and confirmed an intact left ventricular function, the right ventricular angiography as well as the MRI demonstrated not only reduced right ventricular function but also regional abnormalities of contraction in the inferior and diaphragmal regions and typical "outpouchings" and "bulgings". The MRI also provided evidence for sporadic fatty infiltrations of the right ventricle. In the electrophysiological study, sustained VT could be reproducibly induced, while showing the typical RVOT configuration, which corresponded to the clinically apparent VT. Since these examination results matched with the criteria of McKenna et al., arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy was diagnosed. The patient underwent implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and medical treatment with metoprolol. This particular case report was selected because it shows a typical presentation of an ARVC. Furthermore, the present example offers the possibility of demonstrating that in the case of an ARVC in the regions of the right ventricle, arrhythmogenic areals can also be found which seem morphologically inconspicuous.

Author information

Author/s: Wellemeyer, K (K); Röthemeyer, S (S); Kranig, W (W); Grove, R (R); Thale, J (J);

Affiliation: Herzzentrum Osnabrück/Bad Rothenfelde, Ulmenallee 11, 49214 Bad Rothenfelde, Germany. Kardiologie(-atsign-)schuechtermann-klinik-de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Zeitschrift für Kardiologie (Z Kardiol), published in Germany. (Language: ger)

Reference: 2003-Dec; vol 92 (issue 12) : pp 1033-8

Dates: Created 2003/12/09; Completed 2004/05/20; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 14663615, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Anti-Arrhythmia Agents - therapeutic use Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia - diagnosis; physiopathology; therapy Cardiac Complexes, Premature - diagnosis; physiopathology; therapy Combined Modality Therapy Diagnosis, Differential Electrocardiography Humans

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Male Metoprolol - therapeutic use Myocardial Contraction - physiology Pacemaker, Artificial Tachycardia, Ventricular - diagnosis; physiopathology; therapy Ventricular Dysfunction, Right - diagnosis; physiopathology; therapy Ventricular Function, Right - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (0) ; Metoprolol (37350-58-6)

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