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Differential Diagnosis for Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC)

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC): This is the most likely diagnosis given the specific mention of ARVC. It is a disorder of the heart muscle that primarily affects the right ventricle, leading to arrhythmias and potentially sudden death. The diagnosis is often made based on a combination of clinical, electrocardiographic, imaging, and genetic criteria.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Dilated Cardiomyopathy: This condition involves enlargement and weakening of the heart's ventricles, reducing the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. It can present with similar symptoms to ARVC, such as arrhythmias and heart failure.
  • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Characterized by thickening of the heart muscle, this condition can lead to arrhythmias and obstruction of blood flow. While it more commonly affects the left ventricle, it can also involve the right ventricle.
  • Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Tachycardia: This is a type of ventricular tachycardia originating from the right ventricular outflow tract, which can mimic some of the arrhythmic manifestations of ARVC.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Pulmonary Embolism: Although not a cardiomyopathy, pulmonary embolism can cause sudden onset of arrhythmias and right ventricular dysfunction, mimicking ARVC. It is crucial to rule out this condition due to its high mortality rate if untreated.
  • Coronary Artery Disease: While more commonly associated with left ventricular disease, coronary artery disease can involve the right coronary artery, leading to right ventricular ischemia or infarction, which might be confused with ARVC.
  • Cardiac Sarcoidosis: This condition involves inflammation of the heart due to sarcoidosis, which can lead to arrhythmias and ventricular dysfunction. It is a critical diagnosis not to miss due to its potential for treatment with immunosuppression.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Left-Dominant Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: A rare variant of ARVC that primarily affects the left ventricle, which can present with arrhythmias and left ventricular dysfunction.
  • Fibrofatty Replacement of the Myocardium: A condition where there is replacement of the myocardium with fibrofatty tissue, which can lead to arrhythmias and ventricular dysfunction, similar to ARVC.
  • Chagas Disease: Caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, this disease can lead to a cardiomyopathy that might mimic some features of ARVC, particularly in endemic areas.

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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