Management of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
Sayed Al-AidarousAlexandros ProtonotariosPerry Mark ElliottPier D LambiasePublished in: Heart (British Cardiac Society) (2023)
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disease characterised by fibrofatty replacement of the ventricular myocardium due to specific mutations, leading to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Treating this condition can be challenging due to progressive fibrosis, phenotypic variations and small patient cohorts limiting the feasibility of conducting meaningful clinical trials. Although widely used, the evidence base for anti-arrhythmic drugs is limited. Beta-blockers are theoretically sound, yet their efficacy in reducing arrhythmic risk is not robust. Additionally, the impact of sotalol and amiodarone is inconsistent with studies reporting contradictory results. Emerging evidence suggests that combining flecainide and bisoprolol may be efficacious.Radiofrequency ablation has shown some potential in disrupting ventricular tachycardia circuits, with combined endo and epicardial ablation yielding better results which could be considered at the index procedure. In addition, stereotactic radiotherapy may be a future option that can decrease arrhythmias beyond simple scar formation by altering levels of Nav1.5 channels, Connexin 43 and Wnt signalling, potentially modifying myocardial fibrosis.Future therapies, such as adenoviruses and GSk3b modulation, are still in early-stage research. While implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation is a key intervention for reducing arrhythmic death, the risks of inappropriate shocks and device complications must be carefully considered.
Keyphrases
- radiofrequency ablation
- early stage
- heart failure
- left ventricular
- clinical trial
- current status
- catheter ablation
- randomized controlled trial
- multiple sclerosis
- congenital heart disease
- stem cells
- human health
- radiation therapy
- cell proliferation
- sentinel lymph node
- case report
- atrial fibrillation
- minimally invasive
- locally advanced
- squamous cell carcinoma
- liver fibrosis
- emergency department
- adverse drug
- small cell lung cancer
- risk factors
- angiotensin converting enzyme
- radiation induced
- rectal cancer
- case control