Results of ajmaline testing in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia-cardiomyopathy

An association between arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia-cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) and Brugada syndrome can be supposed according to several case reports. In order to examine a possible link between ARVD/C and Brugada syndrome, systematic ajmaline testing with 1 mg/kg body weight intravenously, was done in 55 patients (32 males, mean age 46.7 +/- 12.3 years) with ISFC/ESC criteria of ARVD/C. In nine patients ajmaline testing could demonstrate coved ST segment elevation of at least 2 mm in at least two tight precordial leads. Three of these patients had recurrent syncopes. Electrophysiological study revealed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia with left bundle branch block configuration and inferior axis in only one case. Systematic ajmaline testing could demonstrate a definite link between ARVD/C and Brugada syndrome. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.