Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy: Report of an Autopsy Case.
- Author:
Sang Yong LEE
1
;
Joo Han LEE
;
Joong Seok SEO
Author Information
1. National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Korea. isyme@nisi.go.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy;
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy;
Sudden death
- MeSH:
Adult;
Autopsy*;
Death, Sudden;
Dilatation;
Electrocardiography;
Female;
Fibrosis;
Heart;
Humans;
Korea;
Myocardium;
Myocytes, Cardiac
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2003;27(1):101-105
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is characterized histologically by massive infilteration of right ventricular wall by fat tissue with surviving strands of cardiomyocytes bordered by or embedded in fibrosis. ARVC has been recognized as a cause of sudden death, especially in the young. We report an autopy case of ARVD/C in a 35-year-old female. She was found dead in her house under apparently natural circumstances. The autopsy revealed a dilated 340-gram heart with a fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium. On the review of her past medical history, she had taken medical examination for prolonged general weakness about 1 year prior to death. At that time the echocardiogram revealed dilatation of right ventricular cavity size and moderately decreased left ventricular systolic function, the electrocardiogram revealed R>S at V1 lead and T-wave inversion at V1-V3 leads. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second autopsy case of ARVD/C, reported in the literature of Korea.