VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA AS A FIRST PRESENTATION OF ARRHYTHMOGENIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY (ARVC) IN A PREVIOUSLY ASYMPTOMATIC SEXAGENARIAN

Abstract

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is characterised by morphological and histological changes in the ventricles. Progressive myocyte loss and fibrofatty tissue replacement, producing islands of scar, can lead to reentrant ventricular tachycardia and sudden cardiac death. It usually presents as chest pain, palpitations, heart failure, or syncope. The majority of cases are seen before the age of 40. Ventricular arrhythmia as a first presentation in the elderly is seen infrequently. We present a case of a previously asymptomatic 62-year-old gentleman who had an episode of ventricular tachycardia as the first manifestation of ARVC without having any positive family history for this disease. He was managed with amiodarone and was later planned for an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD).