Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy: Report of an Autopsy Case / 대한법의학회지

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.