A ■ ABSTRACTArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an increasingly recognized cause of ventricular tachycardia and sudden cardiac death in young people, notably young athletes. The best treatment is not clear, although options include antiarrhythmic drugs, radiofrequency ablation, and implantable defibrillators. ■ KEY POINTSThe classic presentation is of a young athlete who complains of palpitations and dizzy spells while exercising.The prevalence of ARVC is difficult to estimate, since many cases are only recognized postmortem. In one series, ARVC accounted for only 3% of cases of sudden death in young athletes, but reports from Italy put the figure at 20%. Electrocardiography, although not sensitive, is a useful initial test. Echocardiography is often the first test that demonstrates the characteristic abnormalities of ARVC, but a normal echocardiogram does not exclude the diagnosis.ARVC should be suspected if a family history of ARVC is present, if the patient or a family member has had an event of unexplained ventricular tachycardia or sudden cardiac death, if unexplained symptoms of presyncope, syncope, dyspnea, palpitations, or chest pain occur in a young adult, or if noninvasive tests such as ECG, Holter monitoring, or echocardiography reveal suggestive findings.Once the diagnosis of ARVC is made, the patient should refrain from participating in competitive sports or other intense exertional activities.

No abstract