Electron-beam CT detected right ventricular morphological abnormalities in 81% of patients with Brugada syndrome versus 9% of controls, correlating with origins of premature ventricular contractions.
Case-Control (n=49)
Does electron-beam computed tomography detect localized right ventricular morphological abnormalities related to arrhythmogenic substrates in patients with Brugada syndrome?
Electron-beam CT identifies localized right ventricular morphological abnormalities in Brugada syndrome patients that correspond to the origins of arrhythmogenic premature ventricular contractions.
Absolute Event Rate: 81% vs 9%
AIMS: This study was designed to determine, using electron-beam CT, whether there are morphological abnormalities in patients with the Brugada syndrome and to elucidate the relationship between those abnormalities and arrhythmogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-six consecutive patients with the Brugada syndrome and 23 age- and gender-matched control subjects (controls) were evaluated for morphological abnormalities using electron beam CT. Electron beam CT demonstrated morphological abnormalities of the right ventricle in 21 (81%) of 26 patients, but in only two (9%) of 23 controls. The sites of morphological abnormalities were the right ventricular outflow tract area in 17 patients and the inferior wall of the right ventricle in four patients. Of the seven patients with monoform premature ventricular contractions recorded only in the acute phase, four of the five patients with premature ventricular contractions from the right ventricular outflow tract area had morphological abnormalities in the right ventricular outflow tract area, and the other two patients with premature ventricular contractions from the inferior wall of the right ventricle had morphological abnormalities in the inferior wall of the right ventricle. CONCLUSION: The sites of morphological abnormalities detected by electron beam CT in patients with the Brugada syndrome were related to the origins of premature ventricular contractions recorded only in the acute phase, which may trigger ventricular fibrillation. These morphological abnormalities may be related to arrhythmogenic substrates in patients with the Brugada syndrome.
Masahiko Takagi (Fri,) conducted a case-control in Brugada syndrome (n=49). Electron-beam computed tomography vs. Age- and gender-matched control subjects was evaluated on Morphological abnormalities of the right ventricle. Electron-beam CT detected right ventricular morphological abnormalities in 81% of patients with Brugada syndrome versus 9% of controls, correlating with origins of premature ventricular contractions.