The right ventricular outflow tract in patients with suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if right ventricular outflow tract dilatation occurs in patients with a clinical suspicion of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. METHODS: Fifty patients referred to us with a clinical suspicion of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The area of the right ventricular outflow tract was estimated in 29 patients. RESULTS: Out of the 29 subjects, eight had cardiac magnetic resonance findings suggestive of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. The mean area of the right ventricular outflow tract in these eight patients was significantly larger compared to normal controls without cardiac pathology. CONCLUSION: The right ventricular outflow tract was enlarged in patients with cardiac magnetic resonance findings suggestive of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Routine assessment of this parameter should be considered in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging studies.