Familial arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in Afro-Caribbean: treadmill stress test the key to early diagnosis

Abstract

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is a rare entity and a significant cause of sudden death especially in the Italian population and athletes. The familial form is uncommon especially in the Afro-Caribbean population. This Index family represents an Autosomal Dominant form in a maternal parent who had sudden death at 39 years of age. The Index case was diagnosed at 18 years with increasing palpitations since 8 years of age, becoming symptomatic two decades younger than her mother. This was confirmed using the Treadmill Stress test. This is the 1st Case of Familial Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia documented in an Afro-Caribbean family.

Learning objective

Familial Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia is a rare entity and a significant cause of sudden death especially in the Italian population and athletes. This the first case of Autosomal Dominant type of ARVD with variable penetrance, documented in an Afro-Caribbean family where diagnosis was aided by Ventricular Tachycardia occurring during a Treadmill Stress Test.

Imprint

Sandra Williams-Phillips. Familial arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in Afro-Caribbean: treadmill stress test the key to early diagnosis; Cardiometry; No.4; May 2014; p.86-93; DOI:10.12710/cardiometry.2014.4.8693 Available from: http://www.cardiometry.net/no4-may-2014/arrhythmogenic-right-ventricular-dysplasia