Electrocardiographic comparison of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia

Kurt S. Hoffmayer, Orlando N. MacHado, Gregory M. Marcus, Yanfei Yang, Colleen J. Johnson, Simon Ermakov, Eric Vittinghoff, Ulhas Pandurangi, Hugh Calkins, David Cannom, Kathleen C. Gear, Crystal Tichnell, Young Park, Wojciech Zareba, Frank I. Marcus, Melvin M. Scheinman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether electrocardiographic characteristics of ventricular arrhythmias distinguish patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) from those with right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia (RVOT-VT). Background: Ventricular arrhythmias in RVOT-VT and ARVD/C-VT patients can share a left bundle branch block/inferior axis morphology. Methods: We compared the electrocardiographic morphology of ventricular tachycardia or premature ventricular contractions with left bundle branch block/inferior axis pattern in 16 ARVD/C patients with that in 42 RVOT-VT patients. Results: ARVD/C patients had a significantly longer mean QRS duration in lead I (150 ± 31 ms vs. 123 ± 34 ms, p = 0.006), more often exhibited a precordial transition in lead V6 (3 of 17 [18%] vs. 0 of 42 [0%] with RVOT-VT, p = 0.005), and more often had at least 1 lead with notching (11 of 17 [65%] vs. 9 of 42 [21%], p = 0.001). The most sensitive characteristics for the detection of ARVD/C were a QRS duration in lead I of <120 ms (88% sensitivity, 91% negative predictive value). QRS transition at V6 was most specific at 100% (100% positive predictive value, 77% negative predictive value). The presence of notching on any QRS complex had 79% sensitivity and 65% specificity of (55% positive predictive value, 85% negative predictive value). In multivariate analysis, QRS duration in lead I of <120 ms (odds ratio [OR]: 20.4, p = 0.034), earliest onset QRS in lead V1 (OR: 17.0, p = 0.022), QRS notching (OR: 7.7, p = 0.018), and a transition of V5 or later (OR: 7.0, p = 0.030) each predicted the presence of ARVD/C. Conclusions: Several electrocardiographic criteria can help distinguish right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmias originating from ARVD/C compared with RVOT-VT patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)831-838
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume58
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 16 2011

Keywords

  • arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
  • electrocardiography
  • right ventricular outflow tract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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