Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy with implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement in pregnancy

Abstract

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disorder that predominantly affects the right side of the heartand causes ventricular arrhythmias. In many patients the disease is familial. ARVC may account for as many as 5% ofunexpected sudden deaths. We report a case of ARVC diagnosed at 21 weeks gestation treated with an implantable cardiacdefibrillator. The remainder of her pregnancy was uneventful and the patient underwent induction of labor at 39weeks gestation with a passive second stage forceps-assisted delivery resulting in delivery of a normal infant. In the gravidawith cardiac arrhythmias, defibrillator placement may offer a safe, life-preserving treatment and should be considered.

Keywords:

• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
• arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
• pregnancy
• implantable cardioverter defibrillator
• Uhl's anomaly
• renal tubular acidosis