Abstract 4116: Electrocardiographic Markers of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy: A reappraisal

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Background: The Task Force criteria for diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) rely on depolarization and repolarization abnormalities detected on a surface ECG. Terminal activation delay (TAD) has recently been presented as specific and sensitive marker of ARVD/C. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of TAD in patients with ARVD/C. Methods : In a cohort of 74 patients with definite ARVD/C (51% male); age 36 ± 12 years) and 48 phenotypically normal non cardiac patients (35% male); age 35 ± 14 years) we studied the ECG criteria used to diagnose ARVD/C with specific a focus on TAD. The parameters analyzed were: T wave inversion (TWI) in ≥ V2, TWI ≥ V3, epsilon wave, QRS ≥ 110ms in V1 to V3, parietal block defined as QRSd V1–V6 or V2–V6 or V3–V6 >25 ms in the presence of QRS ≥ 100ms in at least 2 right precordial leads, TAD in V1-V3 and QRSd in V1+V2+V3/V4+V5+V6 ≥ 1.2. Sigma scan software was used for the ECG analysis. Results : In the ARVD/C group, the prevalence of TWI ≥ V2 was 82%, TWI ≥ V3 was 66%, epsilon wave: 1%, QRSd ≥ 110ms V1-V3: 39%, parietal block: 16%, TAD: 46 %, QRSd ratio ≥ 1.2: 19%. In the non cardiac group the prevalence of TWI ≥ V2 was 6 %, TWI ≥ V3: 6%, epsilon wave: 0%, QRSd ≥ 110ms V1–V3: 4%, parietal block: 2%, TAD: 12%, and QRSd ratio ≥ 1.2: 4% (Figure). Conclusion : The results of this study reveal that terminal activation delay has only moderate sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ARVD/C. Our results also reveal that T wave inversion in the right precordial leads is a very sensitive marker of ARVD/C.