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Mattesi G, Pergola V, Bariani R, Martini M, Motta R, Perazzolo Marra M, Rigato I, Bauce B. Multimodality imaging in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy - From diagnosis to management. Int J Cardiol 2024; 407:132023. [PMID: 38583594 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (AC), an inherited cardiac disorder characterized by myocardial fibrofatty replacement, carries a significant risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to ventricular arrhythmias. A comprehensive multimodality imaging approach, including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and cardiac computed tomography (CCT), allows for accurate diagnosis, effective risk stratification, vigilant monitoring, and appropriate intervention, leading to improved patient outcomes and the prevention of SCD. Echocardiography is primary tool ventricular morphology and function assessment, CMR provides detailed visualization, CCT is essential in early stages for excluding congenital anomalies and coronary artery disease. Echocardiography is preferred for follow-up, with CMR capturing changes over time. The strategic use of these imaging methods aids in confirming AC, differentiating it from other conditions, tracking its progression, managing complications, and addressing end-stage scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Riccardo Bariani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Marika Martini
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Italy
| | | | - Martina Perazzolo Marra
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Bauce
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Italy
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de la Guía-Galipienso F, Ugedo-Alzaga K, Grazioli G, Quesada-Ocete FJ, Feliu-Rey E, Perez MV, Quesada-Dorador A, Sanchis-Gomar F. Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy and Athletes - A Dangerous Relationship. Curr Probl Cardiol 2023:101799. [PMID: 37172878 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a disease characterized by a progressive replacement of myocardium by fibro-adipose material, predisposing to ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Its prevalence is estimated at 1:2000 to 1:5000, with a higher incidence in males, and clinical onset is usually between the 2nd and 4th decade of life. The prevalence of ACM in SCD victims is relatively high, making it one of the most common etiologies in young patients with SCD, especially if they are athletes. Cardiac events occur more frequently in individuals with ACM who participate in competitive sports and/or high-intensity training. In effect, exercise activity can worsen RV function in cases of hereditary ACM. Estimating the incidence of SCD caused by ACM in athletes remains challenging, being reported frequency ranging from 3-20%. Here, we review the potential implications of exercising on the clinical course of the classical genetic form of ACM, as well as the diagnostic tools, risk stratification, and the different therapeutic tools available for managing ACM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando de la Guía-Galipienso
- From the Glorieta Policlinic, Denia, Alicante, Spain; REMA-Sports Cardiology Clinic, Denia, Alicante, Spain; Cardiology Service, Hospital HCB Benidorm, Alicante, Spain; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | | | - Francisco Javier Quesada-Ocete
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain; Arrhythmia Unit, Cardiology Service, General University Hospital Consortium of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eloísa Feliu-Rey
- Magnetic Resonance Unit, Inscanner, General University Hospital of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Marco V Perez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Aurelio Quesada-Dorador
- School of Medicine, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Valencia, Spain; Arrhythmia Unit, Cardiology Service, General University Hospital Consortium of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fabian Sanchis-Gomar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA..
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Tennyson CD, Yapejian R. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Overview and Case Study. AACN Adv Crit Care 2022; 33:14-22. [PMID: 35259221 DOI: 10.4037/aacnacc2022384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
This article provides a broad overview of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, including evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment options. Nursing considerations and clinical management are reviewed through the lens of a case study. Early diagnosis to prevent sudden cardiac death is essential for patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina D Tennyson
- Carolina D. Tennyson is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in the advanced heart failure population at the Duke Heart Center, Durham, North Carolina, and an Assistant Professor at Duke University School of Nursing, 307 Trent Drive, Office 3112, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Rebecca Yapejian
- Rebecca Yapejian is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in clinical cardiac electrophysiology and implantable cardiac device management at the Duke Heart Center, Durham, North Carolina
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4
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Costa S, Koch K, Gasperetti A, Akdis D, Brunckhorst C, Fu G, Tanner FC, Ruschitzka F, Duru F, Saguner AM. Changes in Exercise Capacity and Ventricular Function in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: The Impact of Sports Restriction during Follow-Up. J Clin Med 2022; 11:1150. [PMID: 35268241 PMCID: PMC8911196 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Physical exercise has been suggested to promote disease progression in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). We aimed to investigate the exercise performance and ventricular function of ARVC patients during follow-up, while taking into account their adherence to exercise restriction recommendations. (2) Methods: This retrospective study included 49 patients (33 male, 67%) who had an exercise test at baseline and after 4.2 ± 1.6 years. Of the 49 ARVC patients, 27 (55%) were athletes, while 22 (45%) were non-athletes. Of the athletes, 12 (44%) continued intensive sports activity (non-adherent), while 15 (56%) stopped intensive physical activity upon recommendation (adherent). The maximum workload in Watts (W), percentage of the target workload (W%), and double product (DP) factor were measured for all patients. (3) Results: The non-adherent cohort had a significant decrease in physical performance (W at baseline vs. follow-up, p = 0.012; W% at baseline vs. follow-up, p = 0.025; DP-factor at baseline vs. follow-up, p = 0.012) over time. Left ventricular (LV) function (LV ejection fraction at baseline vs. follow-up, p = 0.082) showed a decreasing trend in the non-adherent cohort, while the performance of the adherent cohort remained at a similar level. (4) Conclusions: If intensive sports activities are not discontinued, exercise capacity and left ventricular function of athletes with ARVC deteriorates during follow-up. All patients with ARVC need to strictly adhere to the recommendation to cease intense sports activity in order to halt disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Costa
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Kristina Koch
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Alessio Gasperetti
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Deniz Akdis
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Corinna Brunckhorst
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Guan Fu
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Felix C. Tanner
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Frank Ruschitzka
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
| | - Firat Duru
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
- Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ardan M. Saguner
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (S.C.); (K.K.); (A.G.); (D.A.); (C.B.); (G.F.); (F.C.T.); (F.R.); (F.D.)
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Avagimyan A, Kakturskiy L, Gogiashvili L, Aznauryan A. THE KEY-STONES OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMOGENIC CARDIOMYOPATHY-INDUCED MORPHOLOGICAL DISARRANGEMENT. Curr Probl Cardiol 2022; 47:101133. [PMID: 35114294 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2022.101133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is an urgent problem of modern cardiology. This myocardial remodeling manifests various desmosomopathies, channelopathies, and other mutations resulting in a violation of the coordinated heart work, particularly the myocardium. The incidence of this cardiomyopathy is not significant. Still, it is worth noting that athletes are at an increased risk of developing this disease, emphasizing the importance of studying this topic and its relevance from cardiologists and sports physicians. Moreover, the clinical pattern of this disease is heterogeneous. This pathology requires strengthening control and attention of medical personnel and constant improvement and optimization of diagnostic methods and treatment protocols. In this article, the pathophysiological mechanisms, molecular genetic aspects, and the dynamics of morphofunctional changes are represented in detail. Understanding the mechanisms of etiopathogenesis and the features of morphological changes observed in this cardiomyopathy and its more detailed study is fundamental in developing modern treatment methods to improve patients' quality and life expectancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashot Avagimyan
- Lecturer of Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Morphology Department, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia.
| | - Lev Kakturskiy
- Scientific Director FSBI Research Institute of Human Morphology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Liana Gogiashvili
- Head of Pathology Department, I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Artashes Aznauryan
- Histology Department, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
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Manole S, Pintican R, Popa G, Rancea R, Dadarlat-Pop A, Vulturar R, Palade E. Diagnostic Challenges in Rare Causes of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy—The Role of Cardiac MRI. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020187. [PMID: 35207675 PMCID: PMC8878419 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a rare genetic condition of the myocardium, with a significantly high risk of sudden death. Recent genetic research and improved understanding of the pathophysiology tend to change the ARVD definition towards a larger spectrum of myocardial involvement, which includes, in various proportions, both the right (RV) and left ventricle (LV), currently referred to as ACM (arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy). Its pathological substrate is defined by the replacement of the ventricular myocardium with fibrous adipose tissue that further leads to inadequate electrical impulses and translates into varies degrees of malignant ventricular arrythmias and dyskinetic myocardium movements. Particularly, the cardio-cutaneous syndromes of Carvajal/Naxos represent rare causes of ACM that might be suspected from early childhood. The diagnostic is sometimes challenging, even with well-established rTFC or Padua criteria, especially for pediatric patients or ACM with LV involvement. Cardiac MRI gain more and more importance in ACM diagnostic especially in non-classical forms. Furthermore, MRI is useful in highlighting myocardial fibrosis, fatty replacement or wall movement with high accuracy, thus guiding not only the depiction, but also the patient’s stratification and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Manole
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj Napoca, 8, Victor Babes St., 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Radiology, “Niculae Stancioiu” Heart Institute, 19-21, Calea Motilor St., 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Roxana Pintican
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj Napoca, 8, Victor Babes St., 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (G.P.)
| | - George Popa
- Department of Radiology, “Niculae Stancioiu” Heart Institute, 19-21, Calea Motilor St., 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: (R.P.); (G.P.)
| | - Raluca Rancea
- Department of Cardiology, “Niculae Stăncioiu” Heart Institute, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.R.); (A.D.-P.)
| | - Alexandra Dadarlat-Pop
- Department of Cardiology, “Niculae Stăncioiu” Heart Institute, 400001 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.R.); (A.D.-P.)
- Department of Cardiology, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj Napoca, 8, Victor Babes, St., 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Romana Vulturar
- Department of Molecular Sciences, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Emanuel Palade
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj Napoca, 8, Victor Babes, St., 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, “Leon Daniello” Pneumophtysiology Hospital Cluj-Napoca, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu Street, Nr 6, 400332 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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7
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Course of acute myocarditis in athletes: Does the sport pattern really matter? IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2021; 37:100911. [PMID: 34805480 PMCID: PMC8581268 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2021.100911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Simonit F, Muser D, Morocutti G, Desinan L. Pitfalls in arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy (ALVC). A review of the literature with considerations on a single case of sudden death in a juvenile athlete. J Forensic Leg Med 2021; 82:102208. [PMID: 34218057 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes represents a challenging issue in forensic practice. The pathologist is frequently asked to establish the cause of death basing upon anatomical findings and to evaluate the role of the physician in preparticipation evaluation (PPE) and eligibility decision. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a leading cause of SCD during sport activity. However, in the last few years, forms with predominant or even isolated involvement of the left ventricle (LV) have progressively been correlated with a high risk of SCD. We present a case of SCD in an apparently healthy 19-year-old semi-professional football player. Annual PPEs performed in accordance with international and Italian recommendations, were unremarkable. At autopsy, a 1-cm area of subepicardial fibro-fatty replacement was observed at the postero-lateral wall of the LV. The finding was diagnostic of arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy (ALVC). A review of this rare pathology has been performed under a forensic perspective, focusing on the evaluation of the medico-legal responsibility of the physician in the PPE and on the morphological aspects of the disease. Current diagnostic criteria and recommendations result to be focused on the right ventricular pattern, with a risk of misdiagnosis for isolated LV forms. Furthermore, few detailed autopsies cases concerning ALVC have been published. There is a need, therefore, to study this rare disease with a careful and revised approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Simonit
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università Degli Studi di Udine, Piazzale Santa Maria Della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Daniele Muser
- Dipartimento Cardiotoracico, U.O.C. di Cardiologia, Presidio Ospedaliero Universitario "Santa Maria Della Misericordia", Piazzale Santa Maria Della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Morocutti
- Dipartimento Cardiotoracico, U.O.C. di Cardiologia, Presidio Ospedaliero Universitario "Santa Maria Della Misericordia", Piazzale Santa Maria Della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Desinan
- Dipartimento di Area Medica, Medicina Legale, Università Degli Studi di Udine, Piazzale Santa Maria Della Misericordia 15, 33100, Udine, Italy.
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Cardiac Imaging in Athlete's Heart: The Role of the Radiologist. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57050455. [PMID: 34066957 PMCID: PMC8148528 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57050455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Athlete’s heart (AH) is the result of morphological and functional cardiac modifications due to long-lasting athletic training. Athletes can develop very marked structural myocardial changes, which may simulate or cover unknown cardiomyopathies. The differential diagnosis between AH and cardiomyopathy is necessary to prevent the risk of catastrophic events, such as sudden cardiac death, but it can be a challenging task. The improvement of the imaging modalities and the introduction of the new technologies in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiac computed tomography (CCT) can allow overcoming this challenge. Therefore, the radiologist, specialized in cardiac imaging, could have a pivotal role in the differential diagnosis between structural adaptative changes observed in the AH and pathological anomalies of cardiomyopathies. In this review, we summarize the main CMR and CCT techniques to evaluate the cardiac morphology, function, and tissue characterization, and we analyze the imaging features of the AH and the key differences with the main cardiomyopathies.
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Familial Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Clinical Determinants of Phenotype Discordance and the Impact of Endurance Sports. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9113781. [PMID: 33238575 PMCID: PMC7700696 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is primarily a familial disease with autosomal dominant inheritance. Incomplete penetrance and variable expression are common, resulting in diverse clinical manifestations. Although recent studies on genotype-phenotype relationships have improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to the expression of the full-blown disease, the underlying genetic substrate and the clinical course of asymptomatic or oligo-symptomatic mutation carriers are still poorly understood. We aimed to analyze different phenotypic expression profiles of ACM in the context of the same familial genetic mutation by studying nine adult cases from four different families with four different familial variants (two plakophilin-2 and two desmoglein-2) from the Swiss Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) Registry. The affected individuals with the same genetic variants presented with highly variable phenotypes ranging from no disease or a classical, right-sided disease, to ACM with biventricular presentation. Moreover, some patients developed early-onset, electrically unstable disease whereas others with the same genetic variants presented with late-onset electrically stable disease. Despite differences in age, gender, underlying genotype, and other clinical characteristics, physical exercise has been observed as the common denominator in provoking an arrhythmic phenotype in these families.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carmen Adamuz
- Sports Medicine Department, Aspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, P.O. Box 29222, Doha, Qatar
| | - Domingo Pascual Figal
- Head of Cardiology Department, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Murcia, Spain.
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Zorzi A, Vio R, Bettella N, Corrado D. Criteria for interpretation of the athlete's ECG: A critical appraisal. PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY: PACE 2020; 43:882-890. [PMID: 32602144 DOI: 10.1111/pace.14001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is cheap and widely available but its use as a screening tool for early identification of athletes with a cardiac disease at risk of sudden cardiac death is controversial because of presumed low specificity. In the last decade, several efforts have been made to improve the distinction between physiological and pathological ECG findings in the athlete, leading to continuous evolution of the interpretation criteria. The most recent 2017 International criteria grouped ECG changes into three categories: normal, borderline, and abnormal. Borderline findings warrant further investigations only when two or more are present while abnormal changes should always be considered as the sign of a possible underlying disease. This review encompasses the evolution of the athlete's ECG interpretation criteria and highlights areas of uncertainty that will need to be addressed by further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Riccardo Vio
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Natascia Bettella
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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