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Types of ResourcesAlso known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a leading cause of sudden death among young athletes, but can impact people of all ages and all activity levels. ARVD is an inherited heart disease of the right ventricle, the heart’s lower right chamber that pumps oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs. With this disorder, the muscle tissue in the right ventricle dies and is replaced with fatty scar tissue. This process disrupts the heart's electrical signals and causes arrhythmias (heart rhythm problems).
Symptoms
- Arrhythmias like premature ventricular contractions (PVC) or more commonly ventricular tachycardia
- Palpitations
- Light-headedness (pre-syncope), dizzyness
- Syncope (fainting)
- Heart failure
- Sudden cardiac arrest
- Swelling of the ankles or legs (oedema), or of the abdomen (acites)
- Shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
- Ventricular premature beats (VPB)
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ARVD can be challenging because heart muscle changes are subtle, and many ARVC symptoms can be caused by other conditions. The most common tests for ARVC are:
- Physical exam
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
- Exercise testing
Treatment
ARVD is a progressive condition and the goal of treatment is to control symptoms. Strategies to manage ARVD symptoms may include:
- Medications
- Surgery
- Catheter ablation therapy, a minimally invasive procedure that restores normal heart rhythm by destroying abnormal tissue in the heart
- Placement of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
Learn more about Erlanger's Electrophysiology team that treats all types of heart rhythm disorders and trains physicians internationally in these cutting-edge techniques.
Erlanger Cardiology
Erlanger Medical Mall
979 East 3rd Street
Suite C-520
Chattanooga, TN 37403
423-778-5661