Download ARVC: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Inherited

For More Information Visit:
2011
arvc.ca/arvc/info/
sads.ca
heartrhythmresearch.ca/i.php?pq=home
ARVC:
Arrhythmogenic
Right Ventricular
Cardiomyopathy
Clinic Staff:
• Dr. Martin Gardner FRCP(C), FACC
• Dr. Chris Gray MD, FRCP(C)
• Victoria Newman-Burd RN, BScN,
CCRP
• Dr. Sarah Dyack, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG
• Amy Crowley MS-CGC
• Julie Hatheway MS-CGC
Inherited Heart Disease
Clinic
Looking for more information on this topic?
Contact your local public library for books, videos,
magazine articles and online health information.
For a list of public libraries in Nova Scotia go to
http://publiclibraries.ns.ca
Capital Health promotes a smoke-free and scent-free
environment. Please do not wear perfumed products.
Thank You!
Capital Health, Nova Scotia
www.cdha.nshealth.ca
Funding for the Inherited Heart Disease Clinic
provided by Medtronic of Canada
Prepared by: Inherited Heart Disease Clinic, QEII
Designed and Printed by: CH Audio Visual and
Printing Departments
WG85-0630 Revised Oct. 2011
The information in this pamphlet
is to be updated every 3 years.
What is ARVC?
The term ‘arrhythmogenic’ refers to any
heart rhythm diseases that change the
normal electrical current of your heartbeat and cause it to become irregular.
‘Cardiomyopathy’ is a disease of the
heart muscle- in this case a worsening
condition, where heart muscle is slowly
replaced by scar and fat tissue. Both of
these are present in ARVC, and mainly
affect the right ventricle – one of the
2 main pumping chambers of the heart.
Although ARVC is considered a rare
condition, it was only recognized in
medical literature in the 1980s.
However, it is believed that it has been
around for centuries.
result in heart muscle cells in the right
ventricle being replaced by scar and
fatty tissue. This type of muscle loss
can then disturb the electrical signals
that control the heart beat and make
the heartbeat irregular.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ARVC are the same
symptoms associated with most
conditions that interfere with the
heart’s ability to efficiently pump
blood: lightheadedness, fatigue,
fainting spells, heart palpitations, and
(in the worse case) sudden cardiac
death (the heart stops beating suddenly
and death occurs).
Diagnosis
ARVC is sometimes called ARVD,
“Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular
Dysplasia”.
There is no one test to diagnose ARVC,
but rather a number of tests to ensure
an accurate diagnosis is made.
Your doctor may arrange for you to have
some of these:
What causes ARVC?
Electrocardiogram (ECG): An electrical
tracing of your heartbeat.
Many cases of ARVC are genetic. It is
thought that an error occurs in a gene
that may be passed from person to
child. Members of a family who are
affected with this disease have a
50:50 chance of inheriting the genetic
defect. This damaged gene may
Signal average ECG: This test is similar
to a regular ECG, except that it gives a
more detailed electrical conduction
reading of your heartbeat.
Holter Monitor: Continuously records
your heat rhythm for about 24 hours.
Echocardiogram (ECHO): An ultrasound
of your heart takes pictures of the
overall beating of your heart muscle.
MRI: This ‘scan’ of your heart gives
a clearer, more detailed picture of the
actual layers of heart muscle.
Genetic testing: This may be offered to
some people with this disorder. The
doctor and genetic counsellor will
discuss this with you.
Other tests may also be needed or
suggested by your cardiologist. If these
are needed, they will be discussed with
you at that time.
Treatment
Although ARVC is not curable, some
treatments may make you feel better.
Your treatment will depend on how you
are feeling and the overall function of
your heart. Your doctor will review all
of your test reports and, in discussion
with you, will decide and explain the
treatment that may work best.
Some of these may be: medications,
a pacemaker (for slow heart rates),
sometimes an internal defibrillator
(ICD – to detect and treat dangerous
heart rhythms) and rarely heart
transplantation.
What is ARVC?
The term ‘arrhythmogenic’ refers to any
heart rhythm diseases that change the
normal electrical current of your heartbeat and cause it to become irregular.
‘Cardiomyopathy’ is a disease of the
heart muscle- in this case a worsening
condition, where heart muscle is slowly
replaced by scar and fat tissue. Both of
these are present in ARVC, and mainly
affect the right ventricle – one of the
2 main pumping chambers of the heart.
Although ARVC is considered a rare
condition, it was only recognized in
medical literature in the 1980s.
However, it is believed that it has been
around for centuries.
result in heart muscle cells in the right
ventricle being replaced by scar and
fatty tissue. This type of muscle loss
can then disturb the electrical signals
that control the heart beat and make
the heartbeat irregular.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ARVC are the same
symptoms associated with most
conditions that interfere with the
heart’s ability to efficiently pump
blood: lightheadedness, fatigue,
fainting spells, heart palpitations, and
(in the worse case) sudden cardiac
death (the heart stops beating suddenly
and death occurs).
Diagnosis
ARVC is sometimes called ARVD,
“Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular
Dysplasia”.
There is no one test to diagnose ARVC,
but rather a number of tests to ensure
an accurate diagnosis is made.
Your doctor may arrange for you to have
some of these:
What causes ARVC?
Electrocardiogram (ECG): An electrical
tracing of your heartbeat.
Many cases of ARVC are genetic. It is
thought that an error occurs in a gene
that may be passed from person to
child. Members of a family who are
affected with this disease have a
50:50 chance of inheriting the genetic
defect. This damaged gene may
Signal average ECG: This test is similar
to a regular ECG, except that it gives a
more detailed electrical conduction
reading of your heartbeat.
Holter Monitor: Continuously records
your heat rhythm for about 24 hours.
Echocardiogram (ECHO): An ultrasound
of your heart takes pictures of the
overall beating of your heart muscle.
MRI: This ‘scan’ of your heart gives
a clearer, more detailed picture of the
actual layers of heart muscle.
Genetic testing: This may be offered to
some people with this disorder. The
doctor and genetic counsellor will
discuss this with you.
Other tests may also be needed or
suggested by your cardiologist. If these
are needed, they will be discussed with
you at that time.
Treatment
Although ARVC is not curable, some
treatments may make you feel better.
Your treatment will depend on how you
are feeling and the overall function of
your heart. Your doctor will review all
of your test reports and, in discussion
with you, will decide and explain the
treatment that may work best.
Some of these may be: medications,
a pacemaker (for slow heart rates),
sometimes an internal defibrillator
(ICD – to detect and treat dangerous
heart rhythms) and rarely heart
transplantation.
What is ARVC?
The term ‘arrhythmogenic’ refers to any
heart rhythm diseases that change the
normal electrical current of your heartbeat and cause it to become irregular.
‘Cardiomyopathy’ is a disease of the
heart muscle- in this case a worsening
condition, where heart muscle is slowly
replaced by scar and fat tissue. Both of
these are present in ARVC, and mainly
affect the right ventricle – one of the
2 main pumping chambers of the heart.
Although ARVC is considered a rare
condition, it was only recognized in
medical literature in the 1980s.
However, it is believed that it has been
around for centuries.
result in heart muscle cells in the right
ventricle being replaced by scar and
fatty tissue. This type of muscle loss
can then disturb the electrical signals
that control the heart beat and make
the heartbeat irregular.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ARVC are the same
symptoms associated with most
conditions that interfere with the
heart’s ability to efficiently pump
blood: lightheadedness, fatigue,
fainting spells, heart palpitations, and
(in the worse case) sudden cardiac
death (the heart stops beating suddenly
and death occurs).
Diagnosis
ARVC is sometimes called ARVD,
“Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular
Dysplasia”.
There is no one test to diagnose ARVC,
but rather a number of tests to ensure
an accurate diagnosis is made.
Your doctor may arrange for you to have
some of these:
What causes ARVC?
Electrocardiogram (ECG): An electrical
tracing of your heartbeat.
Many cases of ARVC are genetic. It is
thought that an error occurs in a gene
that may be passed from person to
child. Members of a family who are
affected with this disease have a
50:50 chance of inheriting the genetic
defect. This damaged gene may
Signal average ECG: This test is similar
to a regular ECG, except that it gives a
more detailed electrical conduction
reading of your heartbeat.
Holter Monitor: Continuously records
your heat rhythm for about 24 hours.
Echocardiogram (ECHO): An ultrasound
of your heart takes pictures of the
overall beating of your heart muscle.
MRI: This ‘scan’ of your heart gives
a clearer, more detailed picture of the
actual layers of heart muscle.
Genetic testing: This may be offered to
some people with this disorder. The
doctor and genetic counsellor will
discuss this with you.
Other tests may also be needed or
suggested by your cardiologist. If these
are needed, they will be discussed with
you at that time.
Treatment
Although ARVC is not curable, some
treatments may make you feel better.
Your treatment will depend on how you
are feeling and the overall function of
your heart. Your doctor will review all
of your test reports and, in discussion
with you, will decide and explain the
treatment that may work best.
Some of these may be: medications,
a pacemaker (for slow heart rates),
sometimes an internal defibrillator
(ICD – to detect and treat dangerous
heart rhythms) and rarely heart
transplantation.
For More Information Visit:
2011
arvc.ca/arvc/info/
sads.ca
heartrhythmresearch.ca/i.php?pq=home
ARVC:
Arrhythmogenic
Right Ventricular
Cardiomyopathy
Clinic Staff:
• Dr. Martin Gardner FRCP(C), FACC
• Dr. Chris Gray MD, FRCP(C)
• Victoria Newman-Burd RN, BScN,
CCRP
• Dr. Sarah Dyack, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG
• Amy Crowley MS-CGC
• Julie Hatheway MS-CGC
Inherited Heart Disease
Clinic
Looking for more information on this topic?
Contact your local public library for books, videos,
magazine articles and online health information.
For a list of public libraries in Nova Scotia go to
http://publiclibraries.ns.ca
Capital Health promotes a smoke-free and scent-free
environment. Please do not wear perfumed products.
Thank You!
Capital Health, Nova Scotia
www.cdha.nshealth.ca
Funding for the Inherited Heart Disease Clinic
provided by Medtronic of Canada
Prepared by: Inherited Heart Disease Clinic, QEII
Designed and Printed by: CH Audio Visual and
Printing Departments
WG85-0630 Revised Oct. 2011
The information in this pamphlet
is to be updated every 3 years.
For More Information Visit:
2011
arvc.ca/arvc/info/
sads.ca
heartrhythmresearch.ca/i.php?pq=home
ARVC:
Arrhythmogenic
Right Ventricular
Cardiomyopathy
Clinic Staff:
• Dr. Martin Gardner FRCP(C), FACC
• Dr. Chris Gray MD, FRCP(C)
• Victoria Newman-Burd RN, BScN,
CCRP
• Dr. Sarah Dyack, MD, FRCPC, FCCMG
• Amy Crowley MS-CGC
• Julie Hatheway MS-CGC
Inherited Heart Disease
Clinic
Looking for more information on this topic?
Contact your local public library for books, videos,
magazine articles and online health information.
For a list of public libraries in Nova Scotia go to
http://publiclibraries.ns.ca
Capital Health promotes a smoke-free and scent-free
environment. Please do not wear perfumed products.
Thank You!
Capital Health, Nova Scotia
www.cdha.nshealth.ca
Funding for the Inherited Heart Disease Clinic
provided by Medtronic of Canada
Prepared by: Inherited Heart Disease Clinic, QEII
Designed and Printed by: CH Audio Visual and
Printing Departments
WG85-0630 Revised Oct. 2011
The information in this pamphlet
is to be updated every 3 years.