Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplaisa (ARVD) is a disease of the heart muscle in which fatty-fibrous scar tissue replaces the muscle cells of the right ventricle. The scar tissue interrupts the normal smooth sequence of electrical activity that causes the heart muscle to contract, leading to arrhythmias. As the disease progresses, the fibro-fatty replacement of the muscle in the right ventrical can spread. The weakened muscle will stretch, producing an enlarged right ventricle, which may not pump as effectively as a heart without ARVD.
The disease is often genetic. Once ARVD has been diagnosed in a family, all family members need to be screened.
ARVD is more prevalent in men than in women and appears to occur in all racial and ethnic groups. The prevalence of ARVD is estimated at 1:5000 people in the U.S. and is a leading cause of death among young athletes in their late teens to 30's, although it may affect a broad range of ages with various athletic abilities.
Symptoms
- Chest pain, heart racing, palpitations, skipping, or fluttering
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Cardiac arrest
Diagnosis
Diagnosis may be made from results using an electrocardiogram, signal-averaged electrocardiogram, Holter monitor, exercise stress test, echocardiogram, magnetic resonance imaging, electrophysiology (EP) test, angiography, and cardiac biopsy.
Treatments
Treatments include anti-arrhythmic medications (beta-blockers, amiodarone, flecanide, etc). An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) may be necessary. With more severe ARVD, treatment usually requires medications commonly used to treat heart failure as well.
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