Natural history and risk stratification of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy

Long-term outcomes among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors with reversible vs. non-reversible causes

AIMS

A reversible cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is vaguely defined in international guidelines as an identifiable transient or potentially correctable condition. However, studies evaluating long-term outcomes of patients experiencing OHCA due to reversible and non-reversible causes are lacking. We aimed to determine differences in long-term outcomes in OHCA survivors according to different aetiology.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From the British Columbia Cardiac Arrest registry, adults with non-traumatic OHCA (2009-2016) surviving to hospital discharge were identified. Patients were categorized by OHCA aetiology combining reversibility and underlying ischaemic aetiology. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, recurrent OHCA, or re-hospitalization for sudden cardiac arrest or ventricular arrhythmias. Using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable Cox regression models, we compared the risk of the composite outcome according to different OHCA aetiology. Of 1325 OHCA hospital-discharge survivors (median age 62.8 years, 77.9% male), 431 (32.5%) had reversible ischaemic, 415 (31.3%), non-reversible ischaemic, 99 (7.5%), reversible non-ischaemic, and 380 (28.7%), non-reversible non-ischaemic aetiologies. At 3 years post discharge, the Kaplan-Meier event-free rate was highest in patients with a reversible ischaemic aetiology [91%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 87-94%], and lowest in those with a reversible non-ischaemic aetiology (62%, 95% CI 51-72%). In multivariate analyses, compared with non-reversible non-ischaemic cause, reversible ischaemic cause was associated with a significantly lower hazard ratio (HR; 0.52, 95% CI 0.33-0.81), reversible non-ischaemic cause with a significantly higher HR (1.53, 95% CI 1.03-2.32), and non-reversible ischaemic cause with a non-significant HR (0.92, 95% CI 0.64-1.33) for the composite outcome.

CONCLUSION

Compared to other aetiologies, the presence of a reversible ischaemic cause is associated with improved long-term OHCA outcomes.

Case report: Additional variants induced sudden cardiac death among pediatric ACM with DSG2 homozygous mutant genotype: a report of three cases

Background

Mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins are the leading cause of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). The majority of the inherited ACM cases demonstrate autosomal dominant genotype. Several cases with the homozygous DSG2 c.1592T>G (p.F531C) variant genotype demonstrate adverse clinical outcomes, but the roles of associated genetic mutations are not clear. In this report, we describe three ACM cases with the homozygous DSG2 c.1592T>G (p.F531C) variant genotype combined with additional heterozygous cardiomyopathy-related genetic mutations that cause aggravated clinical manifestations and worse clinical outcomes.

Case presentation

The three reported probands demonstrated similar clinical presentations such as heart failure, cardiac enlargement, and lethal arrhythmias. All of them experienced sudden cardiac death (SCD) before undergoing implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or heart transplantations. Whole-exome sequencing analysis demonstrated that the three patients inherited the homozygous DSG2 c.1592T>G (p.F531C) variant. Furthermore, probands I, II, and III also inherited additional heterozygous cardiomyopathy-associated mutations, including DSP c.7883T>C, SCN5a c.3577C>T, or MYH7 c.427C>T, respectively. These variants were confirmed as pathogenetic variants. A systematic review of all the reported ACM cases with the homozygous DSG2 variants suggested that the additional genetic mutations contributed to the early age onset of ACM and lethal cardiac events.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we report three rare cases of ACM with the same homozygous DSG2 variant in combination with additional heterozygous mutations in cardiomyopathy-associated genes. A systematic review of all the ACM cases with homozygous DSG2 variants demonstrated that the additional genetic variants contributed to the aggravated clinical manifestations and worse clinical symptoms of the ACM patients because of homozygous DSG2 mutations, including early disease onset and lethal cardiac events. Our data suggested that comprehensive genetic evaluation should be performed to identify any potential additional pathogenic variants that may significantly influence the clinical prognosis and outcomes of patients with ACM. The knowledge of underlying molecular mutations would be useful in designing better therapeutic strategies for ACM patients with multiple genetic mutations.

Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: From Diagnosis to Risk Management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Left ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ALVC) is a rare and poorly characterized cardiomyopathy that has recently been reclassified in the group of non-dilated left ventricular cardiomyopathies. This review aims to summarize the background, diagnosis, and sudden cardiac death risk in patients presenting this cardiomyopathy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Although there is currently a lack of data on this condition, arrhythmogenic left ventricular dysplasia can be considered a specific disease of the left ventricle (LV). We have collected the latest evidence about the management and the risks associated with this cardiomyopathy.

SUMMARY

Left ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is still poorly characterized. ALVC is characterized by fibrofatty replacement in the left ventricular myocardium, with variable phenotypic expression. Diagnosis is based on a multiparametric approach, including cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and genetic testing, and is important for sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk stratification and management. Recent guidelines have improved the management of left ventricular arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Further studies are necessary to improve knowledge of this cardiomyopathy.

AAV9:PKP2 improves heart function and survival in a Pkp2-deficient mouse model of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a familial cardiac disease associated with ventricular arrhythmias and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Currently, there are no approved treatments that address the underlying genetic cause of this disease, representing a significant unmet need. Mutations in Plakophilin-2 (PKP2), encoding a desmosomal protein, account for approximately 40% of ARVC cases and result in reduced gene expression.

METHODS

Our goal is to examine the feasibility and the efficacy of adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-mediated restoration of PKP2 expression in a cardiac specific knock-out mouse model of Pkp2.

RESULTS

We show that a single dose of AAV9:PKP2 gene delivery prevents disease development before the onset of cardiomyopathy and attenuates disease progression after overt cardiomyopathy. Restoration of PKP2 expression leads to a significant extension of lifespan by restoring cellular structures of desmosomes and gap junctions, preventing or halting decline in left ventricular ejection fraction, preventing or reversing dilation of the right ventricle, ameliorating ventricular arrhythmia event frequency and severity, and preventing adverse fibrotic remodeling. RNA sequencing analyses show that restoration of PKP2 expression leads to highly coordinated and durable correction of PKP2-associated transcriptional networks beyond desmosomes, revealing a broad spectrum of biological perturbances behind ARVC disease etiology.

CONCLUSIONS

We identify fundamental mechanisms of PKP2-associated ARVC beyond disruption of desmosome function. The observed PKP2 dose-function relationship indicates that cardiac-selective AAV9:PKP2 gene therapy may be a promising therapeutic approach to treat ARVC patients with PKP2 mutations.

The pivotal role of compelling high-risk electrocardiographic markers in prediction of ventricular arrhythmic risk in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Several investigations have shown that existing risk stratification processes remain insufficient for stratifying sudden cardiac death risk in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Multiple auxiliary parameters are investigated to offer a more precise prognostic model. Our aim was to assess the association between several ECG markers (epsilon waves, prolonged terminal activation duration (TAD) of QRS, fragmented QRS (fQRS), late potentials on signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SA-ECG), T-wave inversion (TWI) in right precordial leads, and extension of TWI in inferior leads) with the risk of developing poor outcomes in ARVC.

METHODS

A systematic literature search from several databases was conducted until September 9th, 2023. Studies were eligible if it investigated the relationship between the ECG markers with the risk of developing ventricular arrhythmic events.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis encompassed 25 studies with a total of 3767 participants. Our study disclosed that epsilon waves, prolonged TAD of QRS, fQRS, late potentials on SA-ECG, TWI in right precordial leads, and extension of TWI in inferior leads were associated with the incremental risk of ventricular arrhythmias, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shock, and sudden cardiac death, with the risk ratios ranging from 1.46 to 2.11. In addition, diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis stipulated that the extension of TWI in inferior leads had the uppermost overall area under curve (AUC) value amidst other ECG markers apropos of our outcomes of interest.

CONCLUSION

A multivariable risk assessment strategy based on the previously stated ECG markers potentially enhances the current risk stratification models in ARVC patients, especially extension of TWI in inferior leads.

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Definition, Classification and Arrhythmic Risk Stratification

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heart disease characterized by a fibrotic replacement of myocardial tissue and a consequent predisposition to ventricular arrhythmic events, especially in the young. Post-mortem studies and the subsequent diffusion of cardiac MRI have shown that left ventricular involvement in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is common and often develops early. Regarding the arrhythmic risk stratification, the current scores underestimate the arrhythmic risk of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy with left involvement. Indeed, the data on arrhythmic risk stratification in this group of patients are contradictory and not exhaustive, with the consequence of not correctly identifying patients at a high arrhythmic risk who deserve protection from arrhythmic death. We propose a literature review on arrhythmic risk stratification in patients with ACM and left involvement to identify the main features associated with an increased arrhythmic risk in this group of patients.

Incidence, risk assessment and prevention of sudden cardiac death in cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathies are a significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, mainly due to the development of heart failure and increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Despite improvement in survival with contemporary treatment, SCD remains an important cause of mortality in cardiomyopathies. It occurs at a rate ranging between 0.15% and 0.7% per year (depending on the cardiomyopathy), which significantly surpasses SCD incidence in the age- and sex-matched general population. The risk of SCD is affected by multiple factors including the aetiology, genetic basis, age, sex, physical exertion, the extent of myocardial disease severity, conduction system abnormalities, and electrical instability, as measured by various metrics. Over the past decades, the knowledge on the mechanisms and risk factors for SCD has substantially improved, allowing for a better-informed risk stratification. However, unresolved issues still challenge the guidance of SCD prevention in patients with cardiomyopathies. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth discussion of the contemporary concepts pertinent to understanding the burden, risk assessment and prevention of SCD in cardiomyopathies (dilated, non-dilated left ventricular, hypertrophic, arrhythmogenic right ventricular, and restrictive). The review first focuses on SCD incidence in cardiomyopathies and then summarizes established and emerging risk factors for life-threatening arrhythmias/SCD. Finally, it discusses validated approaches to the risk assessment and evidence-based measures for SCD prevention in cardiomyopathies, pointing to the gaps in evidence and areas of uncertainties that merit future clarification.

Ringlike late gadolinium enhancement provides incremental prognostic value in non-classical arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

The 2019 arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) risk model has proved insufficient in the capability of predicting ventricular arrhythmia (VA) risk in non-classical arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Furthermore, the prognostic value of ringlike late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) of the left ventricle in non-classical ACM remains unknown. We aimed to assess the incremental value of ringlike LGE over the 2019 ARVC risk model in predicting sustained VA in patients with non-classical ACM.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, consecutive patients with non-classical ACM who underwent CMR from January 2011 to January 2022 were included. The pattern of LGE was categorized as no, non-ringlike, and ringlike LGE. The primary outcome was defined as the occurrence of sustained VA. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the impact of LGE patterns on sustained VA and area under curve (AUC) was calculated for the incremental value of ringlike LGE.

RESULTS

A total of 73 patients were collected in the final cohort (mean age, 39.3 ± 14.4 years, 51 male), of whom 10 (13.7%) had no LGE, 33 (45.2%) had non-ringlike LGE, and 30 (41.1%) had ringlike LGE. There was no statistically significant difference in the 5-year risk score among the three groups (P = 0.190). During a median follow-up of 34 (13-56) months, 34 (46.6%) patients experienced sustained VA, including 1 (10.0%), 13 (39.4%) and 20 (66.7%) of patients with no, non-ringlike and ringlike LGE, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, ringlike LGE remained independently associated with the presence of sustained VA (adjusted hazard ratio: 6.91, 95% confidence intervals: 1.89-54.60; P = 0.036). Adding ringlike LGE to the 2019 ARVC risk model showed significantly incremental prognostic value for sustained VA (AUC: 0.80 vs. 0.67; P = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

Ringlike LGE provides independent and incremental prognostic value over the 2019 ARVC risk model in patients with non-classical ACM.

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Evolving Diagnostic Criteria and Insight from Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an umbrella term encompassing a wide variety of overlapping hereditary and nonhereditary disorders that can result in malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Cardiac MRI plays a critical role in accurate diagnosis of various ACM entities and is increasingly showing promise in risk stratification that can further guide management particularly in decisions regarding use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Genotyping plays an important role in cascade testing but challenges remain due to incomplete penetrance and wide phenotypic variability of ACM as well as the presence of gene-elusive cases.

Spotlight on the 2022 ESC guideline management of ventricular arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death: 10 novel key aspects

Sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias are a global health issue. Recently, a new guideline for the management of ventricular arrhythmias and prevention of sudden cardiac death has been published by the European Society of Cardiology that serves as an update to the 2015 guideline on this topic. This review focuses on 10 novel key aspects of the current guideline: As new aspects, public basic life support and access to defibrillators are guideline topics. Recommendations for the diagnostic evaluation of patients with ventricular arrhythmias are structured according to frequently encountered clinical scenarios. Management of electrical storm has become a new focus. In addition, genetic testing and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging significantly gained relevance for both diagnostic evaluation and risk stratification. New algorithms for antiarrhythmic drug therapy aim at improving safe drug use. The new recommendations reflect increasing relevance of catheter ablation of ventricular arrhythmias, especially in patients without structural heart disease or stable coronary artery disease with only mildly impaired ejection fraction and haemodynamically tolerated ventricular tachycardias. Regarding sudden cardiac death risk stratification, risk calculators for laminopathies, and long QT syndrome are now considered besides the already established risk calculator for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Generally, 'new' risk markers beyond left ventricular ejection fraction are increasingly considered for recommendations on primary preventive implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy. Furthermore, new recommendations for diagnosis of Brugada syndrome and management of primary electrical disease have been included. With many comprehensive flowcharts and practical algorithms, the new guideline takes a step towards a user-oriented reference book.

Clinical and echocardiographic evolution of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy before heart transplantation

BACKGROUND

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by fibrofatty myocardial replacement, and accurate diagnosis can be challenging. The clinical course of patients expressing a severe phenotype of the disease needing heart transplantation (HTx) is not well described in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to describe the clinical and echocardiographic evolution of patients with ACM necessitating HTx.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent HTx in our institution between 1998 and 2019 with a definite diagnosis of ACM according to the explanted heart examination.

RESULTS

Ten patients with confirmed ACM underwent HTx. Only four of them had a diagnosis of ACM before HTx. These patients were 28 ± 15 years old at the time of their first symptoms. Patients received a diagnosis of heart failure (HF) after 5.9 ± 8.7 years of symptom evolution. The mean age at transplantation was 40 ± 17 years old. All the patients experienced ventricular tachycardia (VT) at least once before their HTx and 50% were resuscitated after sudden death. The mean left ventricular ejection at diagnosis and before transplantation was similar (32% ± 21% vs. 35.0% ± 19.3%, p = NS). Right ventricular dysfunction was present in all patients at the time of transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Patients with ACM necessitating HTx show a high burden of ventricular arrhythmias and frequently present a biventricular involvement phenotype, making early diagnosis challenging. HF symptoms are the most frequent reason leading to the decision to transplant.

Clinical course of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy with end-stage heart failure and outcome after heart transplantation

BACKGROUND

Few data exist on the characteristics and outcomes of patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and advanced heart failure who undergo heart transplantation.

AIM

To explore the pretransplant course and outcomes of patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy after heart transplantation.

METHODS

This observational retrospective monocentric study included all consecutive patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy who underwent heart transplantation during a 13-year period (2006-2019) at Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital (Paris).

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy underwent heart transplantation between 2006 and 2019. The median time from diagnosis to heart transplantation was 9 years, and the median age at transplantation was 50 years. At diagnosis, half of the patients had left ventricular dysfunction, 59% had extensive T-wave inversion and 43% had a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia. Only five patients were involved in intensive sport activity. Indications for heart transplantation were end-stage biventricular dysfunction in 13 patients, end-stage right ventricular heart failure in seven and electrical storm in three. Only three patients had pulmonary hypertension, and half of the patients had atrial arrhythmias. The survival rate 1 year after heart transplantation was 74% (95% confidence interval 53-88%). Eight patients experienced primary graft dysfunction needing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy who eventually needed heart transplantation mostly exhibited extended disease with biventricular dysfunction at diagnosis. Intensive sport activity did not seem to be a major determinant. Advanced heart failure usually occurred late in the course of the disease. Primary graft dysfunction after heart transplantation was frequent, and should be anticipated. Additional data are needed to identify the optimal timing for heart transplantation and predictors of end-stage heart failure in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: A Review of a Rare Case of Biventricular Phenotype

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is a rare hereditary structural heart disease, with various phenotypes, which mostly affects the right ventricle of the heart, resulting in fibrofatty replacement of the heart muscles and a proclivity to create spontaneous malignant cardiac arrhythmias that may lead to sudden death. Most previous reports were noted on young people. We report a case of its biventricular phenotype in a 61-year-old heavy truck driver who has a current medical history of diabetes mellitus and smoking and was incidentally diagnosed based on the Padua criteria after presenting to the hospital with complaints of lightheadedness and syncope. He eventually had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, hence preventing death. We were able to correctly diagnose the case and prevent sudden cardiac death by instituting the necessary management.

Implantable defibrillators in primary prevention of genetic arrhythmias. A shocking choice?

Many previously unexplained life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths (SCDs) in young individuals are now recognized to be genetic in nature and are ascribed to a growing number of distinct inherited arrhythmogenic diseases. These include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT), and short QT syndrome. Because of their lower frequency compared to coronary disease, risk factors for SCD are not very precise in patients with inherited arrhythmogenic diseases. As randomized studies are generally non-feasible and may even be ethically unjustifiable, especially in the presence of effective therapies, the risk assessment of malignant arrhythmic events such as SCD, cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation (VF), appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) interventions, or ICD therapy on fast VT/VF to guide ICD implantation is based on observational data and expert consensus. In this document, we review risk factors for SCD and indications for ICD implantation and additional therapies. What emerges is that, allowing for some important differences between cardiomyopathies and channelopathies, there is a growing and disquieting trend to create, and then use, semi-automated systems (risk scores, risk calculators, and, to some extent, even guidelines) which then dictate therapeutic choices. Their common denominator is a tendency to favour ICD implantation, sometime with reason, sometime without it. This contrasts with the time-honoured approach of selecting, among the available therapies, the best option (ICDs included) based on the clinical judgement for the specific patient and after having assessed the protection provided by optimal medical treatment.

Novel Risk Prediction Model to Determine Adverse Heart Failure Outcomes in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Background

Patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy are at risk for life‐threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias, but progressive heart failure (HF) may occur in later stages of disease. This study aimed to characterize potential risk predictors and develop a model for individualized assessment of adverse HF outcomes in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Methods and Results

Longitudinal and observational cohorts with 290 patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy from the Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, China, and 99 patients from the University Heart Center in Zurich, Switzerland, with follow‐up data were studied. The primary end point of the study was heart transplantation or death attributable to HF. The model was developed by Cox regression analysis for predicting risk and was internally validated. During 4.92±3.03 years of follow‐up, 48 patients reached the primary end point. The determinants of the risk prediction model were left ventricular ejection fraction, serum creatinine levels, moderate‐to‐severe tricuspid regurgitation, and atrial fibrillation. Implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators did not reduce the occurrence of adverse HF outcomes.

Conclusions

A novel risk prediction model for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy has been developed using 2 large and well‐established cohorts, incorporating common clinical parameters such as left ventricular ejection fraction, serum creatinine levels, tricuspid regurgitation, and atrial fibrillation, which can identify patients who are at risk for terminal HF events, and may guide physicians to assess individualized HF risk and to optimize management strategies.

Clinical Significance of Structural Remodeling Concerning Substrate Characteristics and Outcomes in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Background

The substrate and ablation outcome in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) with or without right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is unclear.

Objective

We aimed to investigate ablation outcome and substrate in ARVC patients with or without RV dysfunction.

Methods

We retrospectively studied ARVC patients with (group 1) or without RV dysfunction (group 2) undergoing substrate mapping/ablation. Baseline characteristics and electrophysiological features were compared. The RV was divided into 7 prespecified segments. The scarred segment was defined as more than 50% of the area with bipolar scar. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to predict the risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence.

Results

A total of 106 patients were enrolled (57 in group 1 and 49 in group 2). There were more men (73.7% vs 32.7%, P < .05) in group 1 than group 2. Group 1 patients demonstrated larger abnormal substrate in both the endocardium (13.4 ± 14.7 cm² vs 7.8 ± 5.4 cm², P = .014) and in the epicardium (40.3 ± 27.7 cm² vs 14.2 ± 12.6 cm², P = .002) and had more scar in the inferior portion/tricuspid valve (TV) than group 2 patients. Twenty-five patients had recurrences of VT/ventricular fibrillation. After multivariate analysis, the presence of a superior TV scar in the endocardium predicted the recurrence in patients with sustained VT.

Conclusion

The presence of RV dysfunction was associated with a larger abnormal substrate in the endocardium and epicardium of the RV. A scar involving the inferior portion and TV is associated with RV dysfunction. Scarring in the superior TV of the endocardium can predict recurrence despite catheter ablation.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) encompasses a group of conditions characterized by right ventricular fibrofatty infiltration, with a predominant arrhythmic presentation. First described in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it is now frequently recognized to have biventricular involvement. The prevalence is ∼1:2,000 to 1:5,000, depending on geographic location, and it has a slight male predominance. The diagnosis of ARVC is determined on the basis of fulfillment of task force criteria incorporating electrophysiological parameters, cardiac imaging findings, genetic factors, and histopathologic features. Risk stratification of patients with ARVC aims to identify those who are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death or sustained ventricular tachycardia. Factors including age, sex, electrophysiological features, and cardiac imaging investigations all contribute to risk stratification. The current management of ARVC includes exercise restriction, β-blocker therapy, consideration for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertion, and catheter ablation. This review summarizes our current understanding of ARVC and provides clinicians with a practical approach to diagnosis and management.

Prognostic Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Markers of Left Ventricular Involvement in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy for Predicting Heart Failure Outcomes

Background

Left ventricular (LV) involvement is frequently observed in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). We investigated the association of LV myocardial assessment using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with clinical outcomes including heart failure (HF)‐related events in ACM.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively analyzed 60 patients with ACM between 2005 and 2020 according to the 2010 Task Force Criteria and assessed HF‐related events (HF hospitalization, heart transplantation, and cardiac death) and ventricular tachycardia events. We analyzed CMR findings including late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in all subjects and obtained mapping values (native T1, extracellular volume, and T2) on 30 (50%) patients out of them. Among the study population (mean age 49 years, 77% male), 41 (68%) patients had LV LGE. During a median follow‐up of 34 months, there were 13 (22%) HF‐related events, and 20 (30%) ventricular tachycardia events. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis revealed that HF‐related events occurred only in patients with LV LGE (+) (versus LV LGE (‐), log‐rank P=0.006), and the events were not significantly different regarding right ventricular LGE (log‐rank P>0.999). When categorized by median value for each mapping parameter, HF‐related events occurred more in patients with higher native T1 (versus lower native T1, log‐rank P=0.002), and higher T2 (versus lower T2, log‐rank P=0.002), higher extracellular volume (versus lower extracellular volume, log‐rank P=0.002). However, regarding ventricular tachycardia events, there were no significant differences according to these CMR markers.

Conclusions

LV myocardial assessment using CMR with LGE imaging and native T1, T2, and extracellular volume markers were significantly associated with HF‐related event risk in patients with ACM.

Heart transplantation outcomes in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: a contemporary national analysis

Aims

Heart failure is an increasingly recognized later stage manifestation of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) that can require heart transplantation (HT) to appropriately treat. We aimed to study contemporary ARVC HT outcomes in a national registry.

Methods and results

The United Network for Organ Sharing registry was queried for HT recipients from 1/1994 through 2/2020. ARVC patients were compared with non‐ARVC dilated, restrictive, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy HT patients (HT for ischaemic and valvular disease was excluded from analysis). Post‐HT survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier estimates. A total of 189 of 252 (75%) waitlisted ARVC patients (median age 48 years, 65% male) underwent HT, representing 0.3% of the total 65 559 HT during the study time period. Annual frequency of HT for ARVC increased significantly over time. ARVC patients had less diabetes (5% vs. 17%, P < 0.001), less cigarette use (15% vs. 23%, P < 0.001), lower pulmonary artery and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures, and lower cardiac output than the 33 659 non‐ARVC patients (P < 0.001). Ventricular assist device use was significantly lower in ARVC patients (8% vs. 32%, P < 0.001); 1 and 5 year post‐HT survival was 97% and 93% for ARVC vs. 95% and 82% for non‐ARVC HT recipients (P < 0.001). On adjusted multivariable Cox regression, ARVC had decreased risk of post‐HT death compared with non‐ARVC aetiologies (hazard ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.28–0.82, P = 0.008). Patients with ARVC also had lower risk of death or graft failure than non‐ARVC patients (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.32–0.81, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

In the largest series of HT in ARVC, we found that HT is increasingly performed in ARVC, with higher survival compared with other cardiomyopathy aetiologies. The right ventricular predominant pathophysiology may require unique considerations for heart failure management, including HT.

Multimodality Imaging in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare, heritable myocardial disease associated with the development of ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death in early adulthood. Multimodality imaging is a central component in the diagnosis and evaluation of ARVC. Diagnostic criteria established by an international task force in 2010 include noninvasive parameters from echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. These criteria identify right ventricular structural abnormalities, chamber and outflow tract dilation, and reduced right ventricular function as features of ARVC. Echocardiography is a widely available and cost-effective technique, and it is often selected for initial evaluation. Beyond fulfillment of diagnostic criteria, features such as abnormal tricuspid annular plane excursion, increased right ventricular basal diameter, and abnormal strain patterns have been described. 3-dimensional echocardiography may also expand opportunities for structural and functional assessment of ARVC. Cardiac magnetic resonance has the ability to assess morphological and functional cardiac features of ARVC and is also a core modality in evaluation, however, tissue characterization of the right ventricle is limited by spatial resolution and low specificity for detection of pathological changes. Nonetheless, the ability of cardiac magnetic resonance to identify left ventricular involvement, offer high negative predictive value, and provide a reproducible structural evaluation of the right ventricle enhance the ability and scope of the modality. In this review, the prognostic significance of multimodality imaging is outlined, including the supplemental value of multidetector computed tomography and nuclear imaging. Strengths and weaknesses of imaging techniques, as well as future direction of multimodality assessment, are also described.

Sudden cardiac death in cardiomyopathies: acting upon "acceptable" risk in the personalized medicine era

Patients with cardiomyopathies are confronted with the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) throughout their lifetime. Despite the fact that SCD is relatively rare, prognostic stratification is an integral part of physician-patient discussion, with the goal of risk modification and prevention. The current approach is based on a concept of "acceptable risk." However, there are intrinsic problems with an algorithm-based approach to risk management, magnified by the absence of robust evidence underlying clinical decision support tools, which can make high- versus low-risk classifications arbitrary. Strategies aimed at risk reduction range from selecting patients for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to disqualification from competitive sports. These clinical options, especially when implying the use of finite financial resources, are often delivered from the physician's perspective citing decision-making algorithms. When the burden of intervention-related risks or financial costs is deemed higher than an "acceptable risk" of SCD, the patient's perspective may not be appropriately considered. Designating a numeric threshold of "acceptable risk" has ethical implications. One could reasonably ask "acceptable to whom?" In an era when individual choice and autonomy are pillars of the physician-patient relationship, the subjective aspects of perceived risk should be acknowledged and be part of shared decision-making. This is particularly true when the lack of a strong scientific evidence base makes a dichotomous algorithm-driven approach suboptimal for unmitigated translation to clinical practice.

Epidemiology of cardiomyopathies and incident heart failure in a population-based cohort study

AIMS

The population prevalence of cardiomyopathies and the natural history of symptomatic heart failure (HF) and arrhythmia across cardiomyopathy phenotypes is poorly understood. Study aims were to estimate the population-diagnosed prevalence of cardiomyopathies and describe the temporal relationship between a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy with HF and arrhythmia.

METHODS

People with cardiomyopathy (n=4116) were identified from linked electronic health records (~9 million individuals; 2000-2018) and categorised into hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Cardiomyopathy point prevalence, rates of symptomatic HF and arrhythmia and timing relative to a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy were determined.

RESULTS

In 2018, DCM was the most common cardiomyopathy. DCM and HCM were twice as common among men, with the reverse trend for ARVC. Between 2010 and 2018, prevalence increased for ARVC by 180% and HCM by 9%. At diagnosis, more patients with CA (66%), DCM (56%) and RCM (62%) had pre-existing HF compared with ARVC (29%) and HCM (27%). Among those free of HF at diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, annualised HF incidence was greatest in CA and DCM. Diagnoses of all cardiomyopathies clustered around the time of HF onset.

CONCLUSIONS

The recorded prevalence of all cardiomyopathies increased over the past decade. Recognition of CA is generally preceded by HF, whereas individuals with ARVC or HCM more often developed HF after their cardiomyopathy diagnosis suggesting a more indolent course or better asymptomatic recognition. The clustering of HF and cardiomyopathy diagnoses suggests opportunities for presymptomatic or earlier diagnosis.

Histopathological Features and Protein Markers of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heritable heart muscle disease characterized by syncope, palpitations, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) especially in young individuals. It is estimated to affect 1:5,000 individuals in the general population, with >60% of patients bearing one or more mutations in genes coding for desmosomal proteins. Desmosomes are intercellular adhesion junctions, which in cardiac myocytes reside within the intercalated disks (IDs), the areas of mechanical and electrical cell-cell coupling. Histologically, ACM is characterized by fibrofatty replacement of cardiac myocytes predominantly in the right ventricular free wall though left ventricular and biventricular forms have also been described. The disease is characterized by age-related progression, vast phenotypic manifestation and incomplete penetrance, making proband diagnosis and risk stratification of family members particularly challenging. Key protein redistribution at the IDs may represent a specific diagnostic marker but its applicability is still limited by the need for a myocardial sample. Specific markers of ACM in surrogate tissues, such as the blood and the buccal epithelium, may represent a non-invasive, safe and inexpensive alternative for diagnosis and cascade screening. In this review, we shall cover the most relevant biomarkers so far reported and discuss their potential impact on the diagnosis, prognosis and management of ACM.

Left Ventricular Longitudinal Dyssynchrony by CMR Feature Tracking Is Related to Adverse Prognosis in Advanced Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

Objectives: Left ventricular (LV) involvement has been associated with unfavorable prognosis in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). We aim to evaluate LV mechanics by cardiovascular magnetic resonance-feature tracking (CMR-FT) in ACM patients with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Methods: We retrospectively recruited ACM patients diagnosed according to the revised Task Force Criteria (rTFC) from January 2015 to July 2017. All patients underwent CMR examinations and collections of clinical, electrocardiographic data. The strain and dyssynchrony parameters of LV and RV were analyzed. These patients were followed, and primary study outcome was defined as a composite of cardiovascular events (arrhythmic events and heart transplantation), secondary study outcome included arrhythmic events. Results: Eighty-nine ACM patients (40.40 ± 13.98 years, 67.42% male) were included. LV and RV ejection fractions were 49.12 ± 12.02% and 22.28 ± 10.11%, respectively. During a median (IQR) follow-up for 18.20 (11.60-30.04) months, 30 patients experienced cardiovascular events which included 22 patients who experienced arrhythmic events. Patients with cardiovascular events had impaired LV global longitudinal strain (-10.82 ± 2.77 vs. -12.61 ± 3.18%, p = 0.010), impaired LV global circumferential strain (-11.81 ± 2.40 vs. -13.04 ± 2.83%, p = 0.044), and greater LV longitudinal dyssynchrony (LVLD) (80.98 ± 30.98 vs. 64.23 ± 25.51 ms, p = 0.012) than those without. After adjusting for age, sex, and other confounding factors, LVLD ≥89.15 ms was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events (HR: 4.50, 95% CI: 1.94 to 10.42; p = 0.001) and for arrhythmic events (HR: 4.79, 95% CI: 1.74 to 13.20; p = 0.003). Conclusions: LVLD by CMR-FT was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and arrhythmic events in ACM patients in advanced stage, which could provide prognostic value for this subtype.

Heart Failure in Patients with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a rare inherited cardiomyopathy characterized as fibro-fatty replacement, and a common cause for sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Development of heart failure (HF) has been an under-recognized complication of ACM for a long time. The current clinical management guidelines for HF in ACM progression have nowadays been updated. Thus, a comprehensive review for this great achievement in our understanding of HF in ACM is necessary. In this review, we aim to describe the research progress on epidemiology, clinical characteristics, risk stratification and therapeutics of HF in ACM.

Long-Term Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Progression of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy and Their Correlation With Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias

BACKGROUND

Prior studies of structural and electrocardiographic changes in arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) cardiomyopathy and their role in predicting ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia) have shown conflicting results.

METHODS

We reviewed 405 ECGs, 315 transthoracic echocardiographies, and 441 implantable cardioverter defibrillator interrogations in 64 arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy patients (56% men, mean age [SD], 44.2 [14.6] years) over a mean follow-up of 10 (range, 2.3-19) years. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify the association between ECG abnormalities, clinical variables, and transthoracic echocardiographic measurements (>mild degree of tricuspid regurgitation, RV outflow tract diameter in parasternal long axis and short axis, RV end-diastolic area, fractional area change).

RESULTS

There was a 4.65 (95% CI, 0.51%-8.8%) increase in RV end-diastolic area, a 3.75 (95% CI, 1.17%-6.34%) decrease in fractional area change, and 1.9 (95% CI, 1.3-2.8) higher odds (odds ratio) of RV wall motion abnormality with every 5-year increase in age after patients' first transthoracic echocardiography. >Mild tricuspid regurgitation was an independent predictor of RV enlargement and dysfunction (hazard ratio of >10% drop in fractional area change from baseline [95% CI], 3.51 [1.77-6.95] and hazard ratio of >10% increase in RV end-diastolic area from baseline [95% CI], 4.90 [2.52-9.52]). Patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator were more likely to develop >mild tricuspid regurgitation and larger structural and functional disease progression. More pronounced increase in RV end-diastolic area was translated into higher rates of any ventricular tachycardia. Inferior T-wave inversions and sum of R waves (mm) in V1 to V3 were predictors of RV enlargement and dysfunction with the former also predicting risk of any ventricular tachycardia.

CONCLUSIONS

Arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease. Tricuspid regurgitation is an independent predictor of structural disease progression, which may be exacerbated by use of a transvenous implantable cardioverter defibrillator lead.

Physical activity volume in patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is associated with recurrence after ventricular tachycardia ablation

PURPOSE

To assess the role of intense physical activity (PA) on recurrence after ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 63 patients with definite diagnosis of ACM who underwent to catheter ablation (CA) of VT. PA was quantified in METs per week by IPAQ questionnaire in 51 patients. VT-free survival time after ablation was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier's curves.

RESULTS

The weekly amount of PA was higher in patients with VT recurrence (2303.1 METs vs 1043.5 METs, p = 0.042). The best cutoff to predict VT recurrence after CA was 584 METs/week (AUC = 0.66, sensibility = 85.0%, specificity = 45.2%). Based on this cutoff, 34 patients were defined as high level athletes (Hi-PA) and 17 patients as low-level athletes (Lo-PA). During a median follow-up of 32.0 months (11.5-65.5), 22 patients (34.9%) experienced VT recurrence. Lo-PA patients had a longer VT-free survival, compared with Hi-PA patients (82.4% vs 50.0%, log-rank p = 0.025). At Cox multivariate analysis, independent predictors of the VT recurrence were PA ≥ 584 METs/week (Hi-PA) (HR = 2.61, CI 95% 1.03-6.58, p = 0.04) and late potential (LP) abolition (HR = 0.38, CI 95% 0.16-0.89, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

PA ≥ 584 METs/week and LP abolition were independent predictors of VT recurrence after ablation.

Left ventricular fibro-fatty replacement in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy: prevalence, patterns, and association with arrhythmias

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular (LV) fibrofatty infiltration in arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) has been reported, however, detailed cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) characteristics and association with outcomes are uncertain. We aim to describe LV findings on CMR in ARVD/C patients and their relationship with arrhythmic outcomes.

METHODS

CMR of 73 subjects with ARVD/C according to the 2010 Task Force Criteria (TFC) were analyzed for LV involvement, defined as ≥ 1 of the following features: LV wall motion abnormality, LV late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), LV fat infiltration, or LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%. Ventricular volumes and function, regional wall motion abnormalities, and the presence of ventricular fat or fibrosis were recorded. Findings on CMR were correlated with arrhythmic outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 73 subjects, 50.7% had CMR evidence for LV involvement. Proband status and advanced RV dysfunction were independently associated with LV abnormalities. The most common pattern of LV involvement was focal fatty infiltration in the sub-epicardium of the apicolateral LV with a "bite-like" pattern. LGE in the LV was found in the same distribution and most often had a linear appearance. LV involvement was more common with non-PKP2 genetic mutation variants, regardless of proband status. Only RV structural disease on CMR (HR 3.47, 95% CI 1.13-10.70) and prior arrhythmia (HR 2.85, 95% CI 1.33-6.10) were independently associated with arrhythmic events.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with 2010 TFC for ARVD/C, CMR evidence for LV abnormalities are seen in half of patients and typically manifest as fibrofatty infiltration in the subepicardium of the apicolateral wall and are not associated with arrhythmic outcomes.

Arrhythmogenic Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy: Genotype-Phenotype Correlations and New Diagnostic Criteria

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart muscle disease characterized by loss of ventricular myocardium and fibrofatty replacement, which predisposes to scar-related ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, particularly in the young and athletes. Although in its original description the disease was characterized by an exclusive or at least predominant right ventricle (RV) involvement, it has been demonstrated that the fibrofatty scar can also localize in the left ventricle (LV), with the LV lesion that can equalize or even overcome that of the RV. While the right-dominant form is typically associated with mutations in genes encoding for desmosomal proteins, other (non-desmosomal) mutations have been showed to cause the biventricular and left-dominant variants. This has led to a critical evaluation of the 2010 International Task Force criteria, which exclusively addressed the right phenotypic manifestations of ACM. An International Expert consensus document has been recently developed to provide upgraded criteria (“the Padua Criteria”) for the diagnosis of the whole spectrum of ACM phenotypes, particularly left-dominant forms, highlighting the use of cardiac magnetic resonance. This review aims to offer an overview of the current knowledge on the genetic basis, the phenotypic expressions, and the diagnosis of left-sided variants, both biventricular and left-dominant, of ACM.

Implantable cardiac defibrillator events in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is associated with a risk of sudden cardiac death. Optimal risk stratification is still under debate. The main purpose of this long-term, single-centre observation was to analyse predictors of appropriate and inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) interventions in the population of patients with ARVC with a high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.

METHODS

The study comprised 65 adult patients (median age 40 years, 48 men) with a definite diagnosis of ARVC who received ICD over a time span of 20 years in primary (40%) or secondary (60%) prevention of sudden cardiac death. The study endpoints were first appropriate and inappropriate ICD interventions (shock or antitachycardia pacing) after device implantation.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 7.75 years after ICD implantation, nine patients died and six individuals underwent heart transplantation. Appropriate ICD interventions occurred in 43 patients (66.2%) and inappropriate ICD interventions in 18 patients (27.7%). Multivariable analysis using cause-specific hazard model identified three predictors of appropriate ICD interventions: right ventricle dysfunction (cause-specific HR 2.85, 95% CI 1.56 to 5.21, p<0.001), age <40 years at ICD implantation (cause-specific HR 2.37, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.94, p=0.022) and a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia (cause-specific HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.16 to 5.63, p=0.020). Predictors of inappropriate ICD therapy were not found. Complications related to ICD implantation occurred in 12 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Right ventricle dysfunction, age <40 years and a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia were predictors of appropriate ICD interventions in patients with ARVC. The results may be used to improve risk stratification before ICD implantation.

Two Novel Variants in Genes of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy - a Case Report

SUMMARY BACKGROUND

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heritable cardiomyopathy, characterized by fibrofatty replacement of myocytes in the right ventricular, left ventricular or both ventricles. It is caused by pathogenic variants of genes encoding desmosomal (JUP, DSP, PKP2, DSG2, DSC2) and non-desmosomal proteins, and is one of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Therefore, early identification, correct prevention and treatment can prevent adverse outcomes.

CASE REPORT

Our case presents a 65-years-old man with recurrent ventricular tachycardia. The ischemic cause was the first to rule out. Echocardiography revealed right ventricular structural and functional abnormalities. After suspicion of ARVC, magnetic resonance imaging was performed showing reduced right ventricular ejection fraction with local aneurysms, structural changes ir the right and left myocardium. Subsequently performed genetic testing identified a novel ARVC likely pathogenic variant in DSC2 gene and variant of uncertain significance in RYR2 gene.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic evaluation of ARVC is challenging and requires multidisciplinary team collaboration. Further functional tests for elucidation of the clinical significance of the two novel variants of ARVC-associated genes could be suggested.

2019 HRS expert consensus statement on evaluation, risk stratification, and management of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: Executive summary

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an arrhythmogenic disorder of the myocardium not secondary to ischemic, hypertensive, or valvular heart disease. ACM incorporates a broad spectrum of genetic, systemic, infectious, and inflammatory disorders. This designation includes, but is not limited to, arrhythmogenic right/left ventricular cardiomyopathy, cardiac amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, Chagas disease, and left ventricular noncompaction. The ACM phenotype overlaps with other cardiomyopathies, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy with arrhythmia presentation that may be associated with ventricular dilatation and/or impaired systolic function. This expert consensus statement provides the clinician with guidance on evaluation and management of ACM and includes clinically relevant information on genetics and disease mechanisms. PICO questions were utilized to evaluate contemporary evidence and provide clinical guidance related to exercise in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Recommendations were developed and approved by an expert writing group, after a systematic literature search with evidence tables, and discussion of their own clinical experience, to present the current knowledge in the field. Each recommendation is presented using the Class of Recommendation and Level of Evidence system formulated by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association and is accompanied by references and explanatory text to provide essential context. The ongoing recognition of the genetic basis of ACM provides the opportunity to examine the diverse triggers and potential common pathway for the development of disease and arrhythmia.

Evidence-based management of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in pregnancy

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetic disorder resulting in fibrofatty replacement of the myocardium. Genetic mutations in genes encoding for desmosome proteins result in a ventricular myocardium prone to arrhythmias and heart failure. Although ARVC is known for a few decades, most of the outcomes in pregnancy are reported recently. Pregnancy leads to significant physiological changes with excess mechanical stress on the myocardium. All the retrospective studies suggest that pregnancy is well tolerated in these patients despite the high risk of arrhythmias and heart failure. Our review focuses on the most up-to-date evidence on the management of ARVC patients during the antepartum and postpartum period.

Right ventricular dysfunction and long-term risk of death

Sudden cardiac death (SCD), or sudden loss of life-sustaining systemic and cerebral perfusion, is most often due to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction secondary to ischemic or structural cardiac disease or channelopathies. Degeneration of sinus rhythm into ventricular tachycardia and ultimately ventricular fibrillation is the final common pathway for most heart failure patients. Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is recognized as an independent contributor to worsening heart failure. There is emerging evidence that RV dysfunction may also be an independent predictor of SCD. This review examines the role of RV dysfunction on modifying long term risk of SCD, and explores possible mechanisms that may underlie SCD. The RV has unique anatomy and physiology compared to the LV. Subsequently, we begin with a review of cardiac embryology, focusing on the chambers, valves, coronary arteries, and cardiac conduction system to understand the origins of RV dysfunction. Static and dynamic physiology of the RV is contrasted with that of the LV. Particular emphasis is placed on ventriculo-arterial coupling, mechanical cardiac constraint, and ventricular interdependence. The epidemiology of SCD is briefly reviewed to highlight how causes of SCD are age-specific. In turn, the age-specific causes of RV dysfunction are presented, including those which predominate in childhood and adolescence [arrhythmogenic RV dysplasia (ARVD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)] and older adulthood (cardiac ischemia, chronic congestive heart failure and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension). There is a clear need for additional studies on the independent contribution of RV dysfunction to overall functional capacity, SCD-associated mortality, and non-SCD-associated mortality. Discovery would be aided by the development of prospective cohorts with excellent RV phenotyping, coupled with deeper biologic measurements linking mechanisms to clinically relevant outcomes.

Absence of ECG Task Force Criteria does not rule out structural changes in genotype positive ARVC patients

AIMS

In Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), electrophysiological pathology has been claimed to precede morphological and functional pathology. Accordingly, an ECG without ARVC markers should be rare in ARVC patients with pathology identified by cardiac imaging. We quantified the prevalence of ARVC patients with evidence of structural disease, yet without ECG Task Force Criteria (TFC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included 182 probands and family members with ARVC-associated mutations (40 ± 17 years, 50% women, 73% PKP2 mutations) from the Nordic ARVC Registry in a cross-sectional analysis. For echocardiography and cardiac MR (CMR), we differentiated between "abnormalities" and TFC. "Abnormalities" were defined as RV functional or structural measures outside TFC reference values, without combinations required to fulfill TFC. ECG TFC were used as defined, as these are not composite parameters. We found that only 4% of patients with ARVC fulfilled echocardiographic TFC without any ECG TFC. However, importantly, 38% of patients had imaging abnormalities without any ECG TFC. These results were supported by CMR data from a subset of 51 patients: 16% fulfilled CMR TFC without fulfilling ECG TFC, while 24% had CMR abnormalities without any ECG TFC. In a multivariate analysis, echocardiographic TFC were associated with arrhythmic events.

CONCLUSION

More than one third of ARVC genotype positive patients had subtle imaging abnormalities without fulfilling ECG TFC. Although most patients will have both imaging and ECG abnormalities, structural abnormalities in ARVC genotype positive patients cannot be ruled out by the absence of ECG TFC.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2020 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports on the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2020 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, metrics to assess and monitor healthy diets, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, a focus on the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors, implementation strategies, and implications of the American Heart Association's 2020 Impact Goals.

RESULTS

Each of the 26 chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, clinicians, healthcare administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.