PATHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF ARRHYTHMOGENIC CARDIOMYOPATHY AND MYOCARDITIS IN 2 SIBLINGS

This report describes the case of two siblings who underwent heart tra nsplantation with a clinical diagnosis of mildly dilated cardiomyopath y. Pathological examination of the hearts revealed arrhythmogenic (rig ht ventricular) cardiomyopathy. adipose type, associated with biventri cular myocarditis in both the recipients' hearts. Family history revea led the occurrence of dilated cardiomyopathy and myocarditis in their father and his sister. To our knowledge, this is the first pathologica l demonstration of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and myocarditis in si blings. We think this report substantiates a genetic ground for the re lationship between these two heart conditions. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Sc ience Inc.