Brugada

The Brugada syndrome was first described in 1992. Palpitations and/or syncope are usually experienced during rest and increased vagal activity. [table: see text] However, in 15% of patients with Brugada syndrome, symptoms occur during physical activity. The syndrome is further characterized by a pattern of RBBB and ST-segment elevation in V1 to V2/V3 (see Table). One major and one minor criterion from the Table can serve to establish a diagnosis of Brugada syndrome. The patient presented in this report described symptoms only during physical activity. EPS confirmed the diagnosis of the Brugada syndrome, and an ICD was implanted. The clinical importance of the Brugada syndrome is that it calls attention to patients at risk for SCD. The syndrome is genetically determined and caused by mutations in the cardiac ion channels. Signal averaging that reveals late potentials can help identify persons who may be at high risk for SCD and who would thus be candidates for EPS, which can identify those at risk of SCD. The ICD is the only therapy known to help prevent SCD in patients with Brugada syndrome.