Heart failure & cardiomyopathies
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy diagnosis and management: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines and recommendations with insights for future research
Authors' conclusion
Bridging these gaps could help guiding future research and guideline development towards improving patient outcomes.
Study context
- Population
- Clinical practice guidelines and expert consensus statements on arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM)documents meeting inclusion criteria · guidelines two · consensus statements three
- Outcome
- Areas of agreement across documents
Methodological detailsMEDLINE, EMBASE, and resources from scientific societies over the last 10 years
- MEDLINE, EMBASE, and resources from scientific societies over the last 10 years
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
- Key areas of agreement included the critical role of cardiac imaging for initial diagnosis and ongoing monitoring, genetic testing in index patients, ventricular arrhythmia management, catheter ablation indications, heart failure treatment strategies, and exercise recommendations
Further pooled results
Areas of difference across documents
- Significant differences were found in definitions and diagnostic criteria for ACM, interpretation of phenocopies, management of family members, and criteria for implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation
- Additional discrepancies emerged regarding the role of multidisciplinary teams, non-cardiac surgical considerations, atrial fibrillation management, and reproductive issues
Evidence gaps
- Considerable gaps in evidence, especially in areas such as the management and follow-up of patients with potential or borderline ACM diagnoses, as well as the care of their relatives
- The clinical implications of genetic findings, along with the clinical management of left-dominant, biventricular phenotypes, and hot phases of disease, are also insufficiently addressed
- Lack of externally validated risk assessment tools to guide clinical decision-making
Original publication
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy diagnosis and management: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines and recommendations with insights for future research. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. Published 19 May 2025. doi:10.
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it