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

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2017 Mar 1;18(3):237-253. doi: 10.1093/ehjci/jew229.

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / pathology*
  • Consensus
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal / methods
  • Electrocardiography / methods
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / methods
  • Male
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Societies, Medical
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods