Edvinas Ščefanavičius¹, Tautvydas Ščefanavičius¹, Arvydas Kuncė¹

¹ Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Academy of Medicine. Faculty of Medicine.

Abstract

ARVD can be named as rare inherited cardiomyopathy which manifests as heart tissue scarring in the right ventricle and prevalence of the ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. The muscle tissue of the heart is gradually replaced by fibro-fatty tissue. This pathology accounts for 5-10% of sudden cardiac death cases in patients under 65 years and in athletes, the frequency of it is even higher and can reach up to 20%. The newest research also suggests, that this condition can not only affect the right ventricle but left ventricle as well as further increasing the risk of sudden death. Therefore it is necessary to spot on early signs, symptoms, and abnormalities in the clinical and instrumental examination, manage this condition and reduce the risk of sudden death. This article presents for the medical community the latest diagnostic and management criteria.

Keywords: ARVD, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, sudden death, sudden death in athletes.