How do you prevent ARVC?

Medicines to help prevent abnormal heart rhythms (antiarrhythmics) Water pills (diuretics) to reduce swelling (edema) Medicines to reduce the workload of the heart, like ACE inhibitors. Blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent blood clots.

What is the prognosis of ARVC?

Conclusions: For patients with ARVC, long-term prognosis is favorable. During a long-term follow-up, patients meeting the criteria for ICD implantation have a higher rate of rapid and potentially life-threatening arrhythmias.

Can scarring of the heart be reversed?

The muscle is permanently replaced by scar tissue that can no longer contract, limiting the heart’s ability to effectively pump blood. Depending on the severity and location of the scar tissue, it can lead to heart failure. Heart failure treatments can only slow disease progression, not reverse it.

How can I reduce scar tissue in my heart?

Preclinical studies suggest pirfenidone can both reduce scar tissue formation and reduce existing scarring in the heart. Researchers enrolled patients with heart failure, an ejection fraction of 45% or higher and elevated natriuretic peptides (markers of fluid retention).

Is genetic testing available for ARVC?

Major advances have been made in genetic testing for ARVC in recent years. Genetic testing is now commercially available and involves testing five genes commonly associated with ARVC. In approximately 30-50% of families a gene alteration will be identified. Further research is needed to identify more genes involved in this disease.

What is the aim of antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with ARVC/D?

The aim of antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy in patients with ARVC/D is to improve the quality of life by preventing symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias.

How does ARVC affect the body?

ARVC typically begins in a small part of the right ventricle. Over time, the disease slowly affects more of the right ventricle. Sometimes the left ventricle is affected, too. This can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, and sometimes sudden death.

What is the genetic basis of ARVD/C?

The genetic basis of ARVD/C is complex and not fully understood. There are several different patterns of inheritance observed in ARVD/C: In autosomal dominant inheritance, a person with a gene change predisposing them to ARVD/C has a 50% chance of passing on that same predisposition to their child.