Systemic sclerosis complicated by arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia that was misinterpreted as pulmonary arterial hypertension

Mod Rheumatol. 2012 Feb;22(1):152-7. doi: 10.1007/s10165-011-0484-x. Epub 2011 Jun 25.

Abstract

A 58-year old Japanese woman who had been diagnosed with and managed for systemic sclerosis (SSc) with pulmonary arterial hypertension died suddenly. However, the autopsy revealed marked right ventricular dilatation, and the myocardium had been replaced by fatty tissue. These findings were consistent with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). A literature search identified nine cases of SSc with ARVD in Japan, including this case; this number is significantly higher than the value estimated from the prevalences of ARVD and SSc in Japan, suggesting an association between these two rare diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / complications
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / diagnosis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis*