Diagnostic value of echocardiography in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is considered to be a selective disorder involving the right ventricle. The diagnosis of ARVD is difficult particularly in "minor" forms of the disease. The purpose was to verify the diagnostic value of transthoracic echocardiography in detecting morfological impairment and dilatation of the right ventricle. Study group consisted of 35 patients with ARVD with, clinical, angiographic, MRI and histopathologic features of ARVD. TTE was performed with M-mode and 2-D images. RV inflow tract was measured in 3 and outflow tract in 4 regions. Global and/or regional dysfunction and structural alterations of RV and LV function were estimated. TTE results were compared with other methods. The most useful measurement of RVIT was RVIT 3 and RVOT 1 and 2 of outflow tract. Echocardiographic localization of structural alterations correlated well with described by MRI. Abnormalities of left ventricular function were seen in 18 cases. Ln 3 pts intracardiac clot were showed. Our study confirms that echocardiography is a method of great value as a screening and diagnostic test in ARVD.