A Recurrent Exertional Syncope and Sudden Cardiac Arrest in a Young Athlete with Known Pathogenic p.Arg420Gln Variant in the RYR2 Gene

Abstract

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is one of causes of sudden cardiac death in the young, especially in athletes. Diagnosis of CPVT may be difficult since all cardiological examinations performed at rest are usually normal, and exercise stress test-induced ventricular tachycardia is not commonly present. The identification of a pathogenic mutation in RYR2 or CASQ2 is diagnostic in CPVT. We report on a 20-year-old athlete who survived two sudden cardiac arrests during swimming. Moreover, he suffered repeated syncopal spells on exercise. The diagnosis was made only following genetic testing using a multi-gene panel, and the p.Arg420Gln RYR2 variant was identified. We present diagnostic and therapeutic issues in this young athlete with CPVT.