Arrhythmyogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia, ARVD, is a rare form of heart disease that affects the right ventricular muscle. The right ventricle becomes weaker. As a result, the heart is not able to pump blood to the body as effectively. ARVD patients usually experience irregular beatings of the heart, known as arrhythmias.
Diagnosis
ARVD occurs in about 1 in 5,000 people. It is diagnosed through a series of tests, including electrophysiologic testing, cardiac MRI, and CT scan). The disease often runs in families, but can occur without any family history.
Characteristics of ARVD:
Diagnosis
ARVD occurs in about 1 in 5,000 people. It is diagnosed through a series of tests, including electrophysiologic testing, cardiac MRI, and CT scan). The disease often runs in families, but can occur without any family history.
Characteristics of ARVD:
- Abnormal function of the right ventricle (RV)
- Fatty or fibrous-fatty areas of the right ventricle muscle (known as myocardium)
- Abnormal Electrocardiogram (ECG) results
- Arrhythmias (especially when exercising)
- Family history of ARVD
Treatment
ARVD is a leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. As of now, there is no cure for the disease. When treating ARVD patients, doctors focus on controlling ventricular arrythmias and preventing heart failure. To do this, doctors use a variety of treatments. The most frequently used treatment is antiarrythmic therapy.
ARVD causes 20% of the sudden cardiac deaths of people under the age of 35 and remains stealthy for the most part. The only way to confirm the disease is with an MRI and symptoms, but symptoms do not always reveal themselves until they are potentially deadly. To lower the risk of sudden death, patients often receive an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). The device is placed inside the patient's chest and shocks the heart to counteract the Ventricular Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat that arises from abnormal electrical activity in the heart).
As a foundation, we want to make a difference and contribute in finding a cure. By raising funds, we hope to battle ARVD and aid the underfunded research of ARVD.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Additional Resources:
ARVD (Johns Hopkins University)
Johns Hopkins Medicine
ARVD is a leading cause of sudden death in young athletes. As of now, there is no cure for the disease. When treating ARVD patients, doctors focus on controlling ventricular arrythmias and preventing heart failure. To do this, doctors use a variety of treatments. The most frequently used treatment is antiarrythmic therapy.
ARVD causes 20% of the sudden cardiac deaths of people under the age of 35 and remains stealthy for the most part. The only way to confirm the disease is with an MRI and symptoms, but symptoms do not always reveal themselves until they are potentially deadly. To lower the risk of sudden death, patients often receive an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). The device is placed inside the patient's chest and shocks the heart to counteract the Ventricular Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat that arises from abnormal electrical activity in the heart).
As a foundation, we want to make a difference and contribute in finding a cure. By raising funds, we hope to battle ARVD and aid the underfunded research of ARVD.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Additional Resources:
ARVD (Johns Hopkins University)
Johns Hopkins Medicine