Introduction
The Brugada syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with variable expression characterized by abnormal findings on the surface electrocardiogram in conjunction with an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
First described in 1992 by the Brugada brothers, demonstrating high incidence in Southeast Asia, the mean age of sudden death is 41.
ECG features
Some form of a pseudo-right bundle branch block and persistent ST segment elevations in leads V1 to V2.
Brugada pattern: patients with typical ECG features who are asymptomatic and have no other clinical criteria.
Brugada syndrome: patients with typical ECG features who have experienced sudden cardiac death or a sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia, or who have one or more of the other associated clinical criteria (syncope, seizures, and nocturnal agonal respiration due to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or VF).
Type 1 (“coved type”) (Figure 1A): This alteration is the only diagnostic pattern for BrS. It is characterized by an ST-segment elevation ≥2 mm in ≥1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3), followed by an rʹ-wave and a concave or straight ST segment. The descending ST segment crosses the isoelectric line and is followed by a negative and symmetric T-wave.
Type 2 (“saddle-back type”) (Figure 1B): This ECG anomaly is only suggestive of BrS. It is characterized by an ST-segment elevation ≥0.5 mm (generally ≥2 mm in V2) in ≥1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3), followed by a convex ST. The rʹ-wave may or may not overlap the J point, but it has a slow downward slope. The ST segment is followed by a positive T-wave in V2 and is of variable morphology in V1.
Figure 1
Provoking factors
Where to put chest leads in Brugada syndrome? The placement of the right precordial leads in more cranial positions (in the 3rd or 2nd intercostal spaces) increases sensitivity in some patients due to the variable anatomical correlation between the right ventricular outflow tract and V1 to V2 in the standard position.
Drug challenge
- Flecainide – 2 mg/kg over 10 minutes intravenously or 400 mg orally
- Procainamide – 10 mg/kg over 10 minutes intravenously
- Ajmaline – 1 mg/kg over 5 minutes intravenously
Treatment
- Full list medications that have to be avoided: www.brugadadrugs.org
- ICD implantation
- Medical treatment - quinidine, amiodarone
- Catheter ablation
ECG 1A Patient admitted after CPR for VF, ECG on admission with suspicious ST elevations in V1-V2
ECG 1B Ajmaline test (after 10 minutes) – positive Brugada 1.type in V1-V3 (coved type)
ECG 2 Patient with a history of syncope and Brugada syndrome features on ECG
Reference
Introduction
The Brugada syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with variable expression characterized by abnormal findings on the surface electrocardiogram in conjunction with an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.
First described in 1992 by the Brugada brothers, demonstrating high incidence in Southeast Asia, the mean age of sudden death is 41.
ECG features
Some form of a pseudo-right bundle branch block and persistent ST segment elevations in leads V1 to V2.
Brugada pattern: patients with typical ECG features who are asymptomatic and have no other clinical criteria.
Brugada syndrome: patients with typical ECG features who have experienced sudden cardiac death or a sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia, or who have one or more of the other associated clinical criteria (syncope, seizures, and nocturnal agonal respiration due to polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or VF).
Type 1 (“coved type”) (Figure 1A): This alteration is the only diagnostic pattern for BrS. It is characterized by an ST-segment elevation ≥2 mm in ≥1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3), followed by an rʹ-wave and a concave or straight ST segment. The descending ST segment crosses the isoelectric line and is followed by a negative and symmetric T-wave.
Type 2 (“saddle-back type”) (Figure 1B): This ECG anomaly is only suggestive of BrS. It is characterized by an ST-segment elevation ≥0.5 mm (generally ≥2 mm in V2) in ≥1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3), followed by a convex ST. The rʹ-wave may or may not overlap the J point, but it has a slow downward slope. The ST segment is followed by a positive T-wave in V2 and is of variable morphology in V1.
Figure 1
Provoking factors
Where to put chest leads in Brugada syndrome? The placement of the right precordial leads in more cranial positions (in the 3rd or 2nd intercostal spaces) increases sensitivity in some patients due to the variable anatomical correlation between the right ventricular outflow tract and V1 to V2 in the standard position.
Drug challenge
- Flecainide – 2 mg/kg over 10 minutes intravenously or 400 mg orally
- Procainamide – 10 mg/kg over 10 minutes intravenously
- Ajmaline – 1 mg/kg over 5 minutes intravenously
Treatment
- Full list medications that have to be avoided: www.brugadadrugs.org
- ICD implantation
- Medical treatment - quinidine, amiodarone
- Catheter ablation
ECG 1A Patient admitted after CPR for VF, ECG on admission with suspicious ST elevations in V1-V2
ECG 1B Ajmaline test (after 10 minutes) – positive Brugada 1.type in V1-V3 (coved type)
ECG 2 Patient with a history of syncope and Brugada syndrome features on ECG
Reference
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