ARVC: Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Inherited Heart Disease Clinic 2011
What is ARVC? The term arrhythmogenic refers to any heart rhythm diseases that change the normal electrical current of your heartbeat and cause it to become irregular. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle- in this case a worsening condition, where heart muscle is slowly replaced by scar and fat tissue. Both of these are present in ARVC, and mainly affect the right ventricle one of the 2 main pumping chambers of the heart. Although ARVC is considered a rare condition, it was only recognized in medical literature in the 1980s. However, it is believed that it has been around for centuries. ARVC is sometimes called ARVD, Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia. What causes ARVC? Many cases of ARVC are genetic. It is thought that an error occurs in a gene that may be passed from person to child. Members of a family who are affected with this disease have a 50:50 chance of inheriting the genetic defect. This damaged gene may
result in heart muscle cells in the right ventricle being replaced by scar and fatty tissue. This type of muscle loss can then disturb the electrical signals that control the heart beat and make the heartbeat irregular. Symptoms The symptoms of ARVC are the same symptoms associated with most conditions that interfere with the heart s ability to efficiently pump blood: lightheadedness, fatigue, fainting spells, heart palpitations, and (in the worse case) sudden cardiac death (the heart stops beating suddenly and death occurs). Diagnosis There is no one test to diagnose ARVC, but rather a number of tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis is made. Your doctor may arrange for you to have some of these: Electrocardiogram (ECG): An electrical tracing of your heartbeat. Signal average ECG: This test is similar to a regular ECG, except that it gives a more detailed electrical conduction reading of your heartbeat. Holter Monitor: Continuously records your heat rhythm for about 24 hours.
Echocardiogram (ECHO): An ultrasound of your heart takes pictures of the overall beating of your heart muscle. MRI: This scan of your heart gives a clearer, more detailed picture of the actual layers of heart muscle. Genetic testing: This may be offered to some people with this disorder. The doctor and genetic counsellor will discuss this with you. Other tests may also be needed or suggested by your cardiologist. If these are needed, they will be discussed with you at that time. Treatment Although ARVC is not curable, some treatments may make you feel better. Your treatment will depend on how you are feeling and the overall function of your heart. Your doctor will review all of your test reports and, in discussion with you, will decide and explain the treatment that may work best. Some of these may be: medications, a pacemaker (for slow heart rates), sometimes an internal defibrillator (ICD to detect and treat dangerous heart rhythms) and rarely heart transplantation.
For More Information Visit: arvc.ca/arvc/info/ sads.ca heartrhythmresearch.ca/i.php?pq=home Clinic Staff: Dr. Martin Gardner FRCP(C), FACC Dr. Chris Gray MD, FRCP(C) Victoria Newman-Burd RN, BScN, CCRP Dr. Sarah Dyack, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG Amy Crowley MS-CGC Julie Hatheway MS-CGC
Looking for more information on this topic? Contact your local public library for books, videos, magazine articles and online health information. For a list of public libraries in Nova Scotia go to http://publiclibraries.ns.ca Capital Health promotes a smoke-free and scent-free environment. Please do not wear perfumed products. Thank You! Capital Health, Nova Scotia www.cdha.nshealth.ca Funding for the Inherited Heart Disease Clinic provided by Medtronic of Canada Prepared by: Inherited Heart Disease Clinic, QEII Designed and Printed by: CH Audio Visual and Printing Departments WG85-0630 Revised Oct. 2011 The information in this pamphlet is to be updated every 3 years.