PMID: 9556987Apr 29, 1998Paper

Sudden death in young persons caused by arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
M E van DaeleJ Hess

Abstract

A previously healthy boy aged 14 developed persistent ventricular tachycardia while engaged in sports; ultrasonography revealed arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). He was treated with a class III antiarrhythmic drug but nevertheless died 4 years later during recreational activities. An uncle of the boy was found to have died suddenly on a playing field, 25 years previously at the age of 20. In ARVD, fibrolipomatous areas in the right ventricle lead to dilations of the wall where (sometimes fatal) re-entrant tachycardias may develop. An autosomal dominant heredity with variable expression and penetrance is considered probable, while the genetic defect was located recently. Examination and, if necessary, pharmacotherapy of relatives of an ARVD patient may reduce the risk of a fatal arrhythmia.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapies

Anti-arrhythmic drugs are used to prevent abnormal heart rhythms. These medications are used in conditions including, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. Discover the latest research on anti-arrhythmic drug therapies here.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is a congenital cardiomyopathy that is characterized by infiltration of adipose and fibrous tissue into the right ventricle wall and loss of myocardial cells. Primary injuries usually are at the free wall of the right ventricular and right atria resulting in ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Discover the latest research on arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia here.