Atrial Remodeling and Atrial Tachyarrhythmias in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

Less is known about atrial remodeling and atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATa) in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC); this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence, characterization, and predictors of atrial remodeling and ATa in a large series of patients with ARVC. From February 2004 to September 2014, 294 consecutive patients who met the task force criteria for ARVC were enrolled. The prevalence, characterization, and predictors of atrial dilation and ATa were investigated. Right atrium (RA) dilation was identified in 160 patients (54.4%) and left atrium dilation in 66 patients (22.4%). Both RA and left atrium dilation were found in 44 patients (15.0%). Twenty-five patients (8.5%) had atrial fibrillation (AF), whereas 19 patients (6.5%) had atrial flutter (AFL). Of which, 7 patients (2.4%) had both AF and AFL. Multivariate analysis showed that AFL (odds ratio [OR] 10.309; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.770 to 38.462; p <0.001), hypertension (OR 9.174; 95% CI 2.364 to 35.714; p = 0.001), and RA dilation (OR 6.993; 95% CI 1.623 to 30.303; p = 0.009) were associated with increased risk for AF. AF (OR 10.526; 95% CI 2.786 to 40.000; p = 0.001) increased the risk of AFL. In conclusion, atrial remodeling and ATa were common in patients with ARVC.