Arrhythmogenic Riht Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare and serious heart disease that combines the characteristics of two different types of cardiomyopathy: arrhythmogenic and dilated. It causes progressive weakness and enlargement of the heart, which affects heart function, leading to dangerous arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, or other serious complications.
This disease is best known for causing arrhythmias, which are abnormalities of the heart rhythm. The fatty tissue that replaces normal muscle tissue disrupts the normal conduction and contraction of the heart, increasing the risk of dangerous arrhythmias.
Symptoms include shortness of breath even at rest, easy fatigue, irregular heartbeats that may be accompanied by a feeling of tachycardia or dizziness – fainting and less often pain or discomfort in the chest.
The condition can be extremely dangerous if not diagnosed and treated promptly, but also if appropriate treatment is not given. The diagnosis requires a Cardiologist with special knowledge in Cardiomyopathies.
Characteristics of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
- The heart, usually the right ventricle, enlarges due to the gradual loss of cardiomyocyte cells (the muscle mass of the heart), and this process leads to a reduced function of pumping blood with sufficient force.
- The arrhythmogenic aspect of dilated cardiomyopathy causes the appearance of irregular heartbeats because the damage causes abnormal electrical activity in the heart. The electrical conductors in the heart are disrupted and cause arrhythmias. Some of these arrhythmias, especially ventricular tachycardia, can cause arrest.
The cause of the condition is not clear, in many cases it is associated with hereditary or genetic abnormalities. Certain inflammatory or autoimmune diseases may contribute to its appearance. In some cases, it is due to other cardiac problems or injury to the cardiomyocyte tissue.
Diagnosis at the Clinic includes a medical hereditary history, a clinical examination with auscultation of the heart, an electrocardiogram to detect arrhythmias and other abnormalities in the electrical activity of the heart, and an ultrasound of the heart to evaluate cardiac function and dilation of the heart chambers. In cases where there is a family history, genetic tests may help confirm the genetic background of the condition.
If the condition is found to exist, a cardiac MRI is performed to visualize the cardiac structure and assess heart function.
Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and includes antiarrhythmic drugs, implantation of a defibrillator to save the patient from dangerous arrhythmias.
The condition is serious and requires systematic monitoring by a Cardiologist for optimal management of symptoms and cardiac function.
