VALUE OF THE 12-LEAD ELECTROCARDIOGRAM IN ARRHYTHMOGENIC RIGHT-VENTRICULAR DYSPLASIA, AND ABSENCE OF CORRELATION WITH ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

The 12-lead electrocardiogram during sinus rhythm was studied in 20 pa tients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular (RV) dysplasia with sympt omatic ventricular tachycardia. Findings were analyzed, together with echocardiographic evaluation of site, extent and progression of RV wal l abnormalities. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were found in 90% of patients. No correlation was found between abnormalities on the ini tial 12-lead electrocardiogram, and the echocardiographic extent and l ocation of RV involvement. Over time, echocardiographic progression of the disease was observed; RV size increased in 6 of 7 patients from 3 4 +/- 3 to 39 +/- 3 mm (p = 0.01), and there was progression in the ex tent of RV wall motion abnormalities in 4 of 7 patients. Analysis of s erial electrocardiographic recordings did not reveal changes indicativ e of progression of the disease during follow-up of 71 +/- 48 months. It is concluded that electrocardiographic abnormalities suggesting arr hythmogenic RV dysplasia are present in 90% of symptomatic patients on the first electrocardiogram recorded during sinus rhythm. However, se rial electrocardiographic recordings in these patients do not provide information regarding anatomic progression of the disease.