Editorial commentary: "Three steps to ACM diagnosis - is it that easy?"

Abstract

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiac disease which predisposes to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Since the introduction of the first diagnostic criteria in 1994, which focused exclusively on right ventricular involvement, diagnostic guidelines have evolved significantly over the past 30 years to encompass the full complexity of the ACM phenotype. In this issue of Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, Graziano and colleagues review the advancements in ACM diagnostics which emphasizes a comprehensive evaluation of morpho-functional, structural, electrical, and genetic characteristics. The review outlines a three-step clinical approach for diagnosing ACM that involves assessing left and/or right ventricular involvement, identifying the specific ACM subtype, and determining its underlying etiology. This highlights the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork when approaching the complexities of diagnosing ACM and managing the family at risk.