The use of fontaine leads in the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2014 May;19(3):279-84. doi: 10.1111/anec.12153. Epub 2014 Mar 5.

Abstract

We report a case of a 68-year-old man admitted to the emergency department with syncope preceded by rapid palpitations. His admission ECG demonstrated a sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). This report highlights the importance of distinguishing ventricular tachycardia caused by arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) from the more benign idiopathic RVOT-VT. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of the Fontaine leads placement in increasing the sensitivity for uncovering epsilon waves, a highly specific electrocardiographic feature that increases diagnostic accuracy in patients with ARVD.

Keywords: ARVD; ARVD/C; arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia; arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy; fontaine leads.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / physiopathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrocardiography / instrumentation*
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Heart Ventricles / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity