13th International Congress
THE "NEW FRONTIERS"
OF ARRHYTHMIAS 1998

January 24-31, 1998
Marilleva, Trento, Italy

RT-204

Diagnostic role of magnetic resonance imaging in subjects with ventricular arrhythmias and suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

Arturo Raisaro*, Silvia Negroni, Catherine Klersy°, C. Ceriotti, Marina Rovida, Angelo Rossi*, Luigi De Ambroggi.
Division of Cardiology, San Donato Hospital, University of Milan,
*Division of Cardiology and °Biometric Unit, Scientific Direction, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy

Introduction

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is characterized by ventricular arrhythmias and a specific right ventricular pathology¹ and is being recognized with increasing frequency. It should be considered as a cause of ventricular tachycardias with left bundle branch block (LBBB) QRS configuration and/or of sudden unexpected death, particularly in young men during exercise². ARVD has to be considered for the differential diagnosis in patients with frequent ventricular premature beats or transient or sustained ventricular tachycardia.

The aim of our study was to assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)^3,4 for the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia in patients with ventricular arrhythmias and suspected ARVD.