Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

What is Arrhythmogenic
Cardiomyopathy (ACM)?

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a heart condition that affects the muscle in the heart. The heart is made up of four chambers. The bottom two chambers are called the ventricles. The ventricles are the pumping chambers of the heart which send blood out from the heart and around the body. ACM can affect the right or left ventricle of the heart, or both.

ACM is an inherited condition, meaning it is caused by a genetic change present at birth that can be passed down through a family.

Past names of ACM

ACM is sometimes also called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) or dysplasia (ARVD). We now recognise that the left side of the heart is also commonly affected.

ACM can be diagnosed by a cardiologist (heart doctor), and is usually diagnosed through testing that checks how well your heart is working. Your cardiologist may also repeat these tests as part of your ongoing management.

Testing may include, but is not limited to:

Image describes the different test types to diagnose cardiomyopathy. Taking a family history: Usually a three generation family history will be taken to find any clues to whether your cardiomyopathy runs in your family. You will typically be asked about family members' age, their health and if they have died at what age and the cause of death. Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG is a recording of the electrical activity of your heart, and can identify any unusual heart rhythms or extra heartbeats. The test involves placing ECG nodes (stickers) across your chest, arms and legs, and takes 5 minutes to complete. Echocardiogram (Echo): An echocardiogram (Echo) looks at the structure, size, and function (contraction and blood flow) of your heart. An echo uses wave sounds (ultrasound) to make a picture of your heart. This test takes around 30-40 minutes. Exercise stress test (Stress ECG): This test is done while exercising to see how your heart responds when it has to work harder than normal. For this test you will have an ECG while either on a treadmill or a bike. You will start the exercise test at an easy pace and increase the level of exertion. This test takes about 30-40 minutes to complete. Holter Monitor: A Holter monitor is a small device that records the heart’s electrical activity over a few hours or days. The device can be carried around your neck or waist and is connected to ECG electrodes (small patches that will stick to your chest). The monitor will take approximately 15 minutes to fit and will need to be returned at the completion of the test. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) Imaging: CMR imaging takes detailed pictures of your heart structure and can see any changes to the tissues that make up the heart muscle. CMR looks at parts of the heart that may not be clearly visible on other tests such as an echocardiogram. You will lie very still on a bed that moves into a large cylinder (MRI machine). The scan takes approximately 45 minutes.

These changes in the heart can lead to a range of symptoms that will differ from person to person. Even people in the same family may experience different symptoms of ACM.

Some people with ACM may experience no symptoms while others may experience a range of symptoms.

Symptoms can include:

  • Shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
  • Swelling (oedema) in the feet, legs, or abdomen (belly)
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness (presyncope)
  • Chest pain (angina)
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness (syncope)
  • Fluttering / pounding in the chest (palpitations)
  • Abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias)
  • Fatigue (lethargy)

In serious cases, ACM can lead to heart failure, or sudden cardiac death. There are often no obvious symptoms prior to a sudden cardiac death.

In a person with ACM, the normal heart muscle is replaced by scar tissue, and fat. These changes to the heart muscle can cause two main problems:

  1. Changes to the heart’s electrical activity, causing unusual or irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
  2. The heart muscle can also become weaker over time. Which causes the heart to get bigger (dilate) and can reduce the ability to pump blood around the body.
Family members are at-risk of developing ACM, so it is important to monitor the heart in these individuals.
More information for family members
Comparison of a healthy heart and a heart with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The healthy heart on the left has four chambers: 2 atria and 2 ventricles. Each chamber of the heart is surrounded by muscle which has a healthy size and structure. The heart on the left indicates a heart with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The heart with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy has four chambers: 2 atria and 2 vetricles. In arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy the heart muscle contains scar tissue. The scarring of the heart muscle changes the structure of the muscle.

Our bodies are made up of millions of cells. Each cell contains a copy of our genetic information. Our genetic information is the instructions for our body deciding how we will grow and function. Each instruction is called a gene. We have two copies of all our genes.

We share our genetic information with our families as we receive half our genetic information from each of our parents.

In ACM, one copy of a gene that is involved in your heart function may contain a genetic change (variant) that stops the heart from working as it should. The genetic variant changes the instructions sent out to the body and may cause your cardiomyopathy.

More information about inheritance
Example of gene changes leading to cardiomyopathy. Left example shows two copies of the same gene one has a change which leads to cardiomyopathy. This is what the genetics of someone with cardiomyopathy would look like. Right hand side shows two genes without a cardiomyopathy gene change. Showing what the genetics of someone unaffected by cardiomyopathy would look like.

ACM is best managed by a team of healthcare professionals. This may include your GP, a cardiologist, a psychologist, and a cardiac genetic counsellor. Each member of your healthcare team plays a different and important role in caring for you, and your family. Management of your cardiomyopathy is very personal, your management plan will likely be different from other members of your family with the same diagnosis.

Looking for more information:

Inheritance of Cardiomyopathy
Genetic Testing for Cardiomyopathy
Information for Family Members