Comprehensive multi-modality imaging approach in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy-an expert consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging

Abstract

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a progressive disease with high risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. A genetic mutation is found in up to 50-60% of probands, mostly affecting desmosomal genes. Diagnosis of AC is made by a combination of data from different modalities including imaging, electrocardiogram, Holter monitoring, family history, genetic testing, and tissue properties. Being a progressive cardiomyopathy, repeated cardiac imaging is needed in AC patients. Repeated imaging is important also for risk assessment of ventricular arrhythmias. This expert consensus document gives clinical recommendations for how to use multi-modality imaging in the different aspects of AC disease, including diagnosis, family screening, follow-up, risk assessment, and differential diagnosis.

Keywords: arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy; cardiac magnetic resonance; echocardiography; late gadolinium enhancement; multi-modality imaging; multidetector computed tomography; speckle tracking echocardiography.