Diagnostic Differentiation Between Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy and Athlete's Heart by Using Imaging

JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. 2018 Sep;11(9):1327-1339. doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2018.04.031.

Abstract

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is an important cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in youth and athletes. In the last decade, several studies focused on right ventricular (RV) remodeling in athletes and revealed that features of the physiological adaptation of the right heart to training, such as RV dilation, may overlap with those of ARVC. Therefore, a careful multiparametric evaluation is required for differential diagnosis in order to avoid false diagnosis of ARVC or, in contrast, fail to identify the risk of causing SCD. This review summarizes physiological adaptation of the RV to exercise and describes features that could help distinguishing between athlete's heart and ARVC.

Keywords: arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy; athlete; cardiac magnetic resonance.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / complications
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / mortality
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / physiopathology
  • Cardiomegaly, Exercise-Induced*
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography*
  • Exercise*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Ventricular Function, Right*
  • Ventricular Remodeling*