Brugada syndrome is an inherited channelopathy responsible for nearly 20% of all sudden cardiac deaths in patients with structurally normal hearts and up to 12% of all sudden cardiac deaths.
This review highlights Brugada syndrome as a major cause of sudden cardiac death in structurally normal hearts, emphasizing the need for effective risk stratification for ICD implantation.
The Brugada syndrome is an inherited channelopathy that alters the main transmembrane ion currents that constitute the cardiac action potential. These changes not only modify the resting electrocardiogram but also predispose patients to develop malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias that can lead to syncope, cardiac arrest, and sudden cardiac death. This syndrome is responsible for nearly 20% of all sudden cardiac deaths in patients with structurally normal hearts and up to 12% of all sudden cardiac deaths. Brugada syndrome is diagnosed by its characteristic electrocardiogram consisting of a coved-type ST-segment elevation of at least 2 mm followed by a negative T wave in either one of the right precordial leads. These changes can be observed spontaneously or after administration of a sodium channel blocker. While our understanding of this disease has increased tremendously since its first description in 1992, the primary therapeutic option remains implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator to avoid sudden cardiac death. Therefore, tremendous effort is being made to effectively risk stratify patients to determine who would benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation.
Kabra et al. (Fri,) conducted a review in Brugada syndrome. Brugada syndrome is an inherited channelopathy responsible for nearly 20% of all sudden cardiac deaths in patients with structurally normal hearts and up to 12% of all sudden cardiac deaths.