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BackgroundArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is considered a progressive cardiomyopathy. However, data on the clinical features of disease progression are limited. The aim of this study was to assess 12-lead surface electrocardiographic (ECG) changes during long-term follow-up, and to compare these findings with echocardiographic data in our large cohort of patients with ARVC/D.MethodsBaseline and follow-up ECGs of 111 patients from three tertiary care centers in Switzerland were systematically analyzed with digital calipers by two blinded observers, and correlated with findings from transthoracic echocardiography.ResultsThe median follow-up was 4 years (IQR 1.9–9.2 years). ECG progression was significant for epsilon waves (baseline 14% vs. follow-up 31%, p = 0.01) and QRS duration (111 ms vs. 114 ms, p = 0.04). Six patients with repolarization abnormalities according to the 2010 Task Force Criteria at baseline did not display these criteria at follow-up, whereas in all patients with epsilon waves at baseline these depolarization abnormalities also remained at follow-up. T wave inversions in inferior leads were common (36% of patients at baseline), and were significantly associated with major repolarization abnormalities (p = 0.02), extensive echocardiographic right ventricular involvement (p = 0.04), T wave inversions in lateral precordial leads (p = 0.05), and definite ARVC/D (p = 0.05).ConclusionsOur data supports the concept that ARVC/D is generally progressive, which can be detected by 12-lead surface ECG. Repolarization abnormalities may disappear during the course of the disease. Furthermore, the presence of T wave inversions in inferior leads is common in ARVC/D.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation/flutter (Afib/Aflu) in general, and clinical variables predicting Afib/Aflu in particular, are not well defined in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). Hypothesis: We hypothesized that transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and ECG could be helpful to predict Afib/Aflu in these patients. Methods and Results: 12-lead ECGs and TTEs of 90 patients from three tertiary-care centers diagnosed with definite or borderline ARVD according to the 2010 Task Force Criteria were analyzed. Data were compared in two patient groups: (1) patients with Afib/Aflu and (2) all other patients. Eighteen (20%) patients experienced Afib/Aflu during a follow-up period of 5.8 years (interquartile range 2.0-10.4 years). Kaplan-Meier analysis (Figure) revealed reduced times to Afib/Aflu among patients with echocardiographic RV fractional area change <27% (p<0.001), left atrial diameter ≥24.4 mm/m2 (p=0.001), and right atrial short axis diameter ≥22.1 mm/m2 (p=0.05). From all ECG variables, P sinistroatriale conferred the highest hazard ratio (3.37, 95% CI 0.92-12.36, p=0.067). Five patients with Afib/Aflu experienced inappropriate ICD shocks compared to four patients without Afib/Aflu (36% vs. 9%, p=0.03). Presence of Afib/Aflu was more prevalent in heart transplanted patients and in those who succumbed to cardiac death compared to the remaining patients (56% vs. 16%, p=0.014). Conclusions: Afib/Aflu are associated with inappropriate ICD shocks, heart transplantation, and cardiac death in patients with ARVD. Echocardiographic evidence of reduced RV function and atrial dilation helps to identify those ARVD patients being at increased risk for Afib/Aflu, which may help to guide individual patient management.