Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Culminating Assignment
1. Name: Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy also know as A.R.V.C or A.R.V.D
Classification: Circulatory System
Know or suspected causes for disease: genetically linked, possible mutation
2. Body system affected: The way to fully understand a disease is to first understand the normal functions of the body system affected. ARVC affects the circulatory system, but more in depth, the heart. The heart has four chambers: the left and right atrium, and the left and right ventricle. The chambers are made up of muscle cells that contract to pump blood to each of the chambers and to the body. Deoxygenated blood which is full of waste and carbon dioxide enters the heart from the superior and inferior vena cava. The blood then moves through the right atrium and right ventricle which are separated by valves to make sure the blood only flows in one direction. Blood is sent to the lungs through the pulmonary artery so gas exchange can occur. The blood is now oxygenated and is sent to the left atrium and ventricle through the pulmonary veins. From there, the oxygenated blood is sent to the rest of the body through the aorta. The simultaneous contractions of the two ventricles in the heart, creates the pressure that is fundamental to move blood through the entire body. “This contraction is controlled by an electric current that is transmitted through pathways in the heart to all of the heart muscle cells” (Canadian SADS foundation, 2008)
3. S&S of the disease: There are several signs or symptoms of ARVC. Although many diagnoses are made through genetic testing, only about half of the ARVC cases have isolated the actual genes responsible for the disease. Therefore many cases have to be clinically confirmed through a combination of MRIs, Echocardiograms, stress tests and ECGs. These findings, family histories and actual individual symptoms such as syncope, shortness of breath,...