Late-onset arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a primary myocardial pathology usually diagnosed at a young age. Although ARVC is characterized by well-known clinical and instrumental features, the diagnosis in older patients can sometimes be difficult, due to the frequent left ventricular involvement and possible concomitant coronary artery disease. In the present study, we describe two female patients in whom morphological and kinetic abnormalities of the right ventricle, in keeping with the diagnosis of ARVC, appeared when they were aged in their fifties. These two cases indicate that clinical screening should be continued throughout adult life in people who are at risk of ARVC. J Cardiovasc Med 1:000-000 (C) 2006 Italian Federation of Cardiology.