Korean J Med.  2009 Apr;76(Suppl 1):S64-S69.

A case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia involving the left ventricle

• Kim YK
• Kim JH
• Kim DG
• Jeong KT
• Choi YJ
• Lee S
• Park SC

Abstract

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)/dysplasia is characterized by fibro-fatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium. A 19-year-old soldier was admitted with sudden cardiac arrest that presented as ventricular fibrillation requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation. His electrocardiogram (ECG) showed normal sinus rhythm with inverted T waves from leads V1 to V4 and isolated premature ventricular beats with a left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern. Echocardiography showed that the right ventricle was enlarged with apical trabecular formation. The coronary angiogram was normal. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed thinning and fatty substitution of both the right and left ventricular free walls. Ventricular tachycardia (LBBB pattern) occurred frequently despite anti-arrhythmic drug treatment. His drug-resistant ventricular tachycardia was treated with an implanted cardiac defibrillator. Left ventricle involvement in ARVC is less common and more severe. Cardiac MRI is considered the best imaging technique for evaluating the right ventricle and diagnosing ARVC.

Keyword

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy; Left ventricle

MeSH Terms

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia
Bundle-Branch Block
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Death, Sudden, Cardiac
Defibrillators
Echocardiography
Electrocardiography
Heart Ventricles
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Military Personnel
Myocardium
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Ventricular Fibrillation
Ventricular Premature Complexes
Young Adult