Brugada Syndrome

Electrocardiographic Characteristics of the Brugada Syndrome

Three types of EKG patterns are recognized in patients with Brugada syndrome, different patterns may be observed in the same patient. Type 1 is the only EKG diagnostic pattern of Brugada syndrome.

EKG of Brugada Syndrome, Type 1

This pattern was described by Brugada brothers in 1992, it is characterized by a prominent coved ST segment or J point elevation ≥2 mm (0.2 mV) followed by a negative T wave in at least one right precordial lead (V1 or V2), which are placed in a standard or a superior position.

Type 1 EKG pattern:
Coved ST segment elevation en V2 >2 mm followed by a negative T wave.

EKG of Brugada Syndrome, Type 2

This pattern has high take-off ST segment elevation >2 mm followed by a descending ST elevation remaining followed by a positive T wave with saddleback morphology.

It has a "saddleback" appearance.

Type 2 EKG pattern:
High take-off ST segment elevation >2 mm followed by a descending ST elevation remaining followed by a positive T wave with saddleback morphology.

EKG of Brugada Syndrome, Type 3

This pattern is similar to type 2 EKG, it has either a saddleback or coved appearance, but with an ST-segment elevation <1 mm.

Type 3 EKG pattern:
ST segment elevation <1mm followed by a positive T wave.

In patients with Brugada syndrome, the morphology of ST segment elevation varies considerably day by day. The three patterns may be observed sequentially in the same patient.

Diagnostic Criteria of Brugada Syndrome

To increase diagnostic sensitivity, in 2013 the HRS/EHRA/APHRS Expert Consensus omits any clinical criterion and demands diagnostic EKG changes in only one right precordial lead ³.

The differential diagnosis includes a number conditions that can lead to Brugada-like EKG abnormality, including atypical right bundle branch block, left ventricular hypertrophy, early repolarization, acute pericarditis, acute myocardial Infarction, pulmonary embolism, hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, pectus excavatum, hypothermia, among others...

Prognosis and Risk Stratification of Brugada Syndrome

With the clinical diagnostic criterion no longer being used, risk stratification plays a critical role to identify patients with high risk of sudden cardiac death ⁴.

Since Brugada syndrome was described ¹, several clinical variables have been identified to predict a worse prognosis.

But only sudden cardiac arrest and syncope with a spontaneous type 1 EKG have consistently been associated with a high risk of cardiac arrhythmic events at follow-up ^{3 5}.

The incidence of arrhythmic events (sustained Ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation or sudden death) in patients with Brugada syndrome was 13.5% per year in patients with a history of sudden cardiac arrest, 3.2% per year in patients with syncope and 1% per year in asymptomatic patients ⁵.

The prognostic value of inducibility during electrophysiology study has been debated and most clinical studies have not confirmed either a positive or a negative predictive value for the occurrence of cardiac events at follow-up ^{4 5}.

A positive family history of sudden death has not proven to be a risk marker in any of the large studies.

Drug Challenge Test in Brugada Syndrome

As different patterns may be observed in the same patient with Brugada syndrome, in patients with type 2 or 3 EKG pattern, Ic antiarrhythmic drugs should be given to unmask type I EKG.

Ajmaline (1mg/kg in 5 min IV) and flecainide (2mg/kg in 10 min IV or 400 mg oral), are the agents most widely employed. Ajmaline has demonstrated higher specificity and sensitivity ⁶.

Drug challenge test should always be performed under continuous EKG monitoring and controlled conditions.

Termination criteria: Occurrence of type 1 EKG pattern in at least one right precordial lead. Occurrence of premature ventricular beats, ventricular tachycardia or QRS prolongation >30%.

Treatment for Brugada Syndrome

General Therapeutic Measures and Drug Therapy

The following lifestyle changes are recommended in all patients with a diagnosis of Brugada syndrome:

• a. Avoidance of drugs that may induce ST-segment elevation in right precordial leads (http://www.brugadadrugs.org).
• b. Avoidance of excessive alcohol intake and large meals.
• c. Prompt treatment of any fever with antipyretic drugs ⁵.

Quinidine has been proposed as preventive therapy in patients with Brugada syndrome, based on data showing that it reduces ventricular fibrillation inducibility during programmed ventricular stimulation; however, there are no data confirming its ability to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death.

According to the ESC Guidelines ⁵, quinidine or isoproterenol should be considered in patients with Brugada syndrome to treat electrical storms.

Quinidine should be considered in patients who qualify for an ICD but present a contraindication or refuse it and in patients who require treatment for supraventricular arrhythmias.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)

The only treatment able to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in Brugada syndrome is the Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

According to the ESC Guidelines for the management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias and the prevention of sudden cardiac death 2015 ⁵:

• 1. ICD implantation is recommended in patients with a diagnosis of Brugada syndrome who are survivors of an aborted cardiac arrest and/or have documented spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia.
• 2. ICD implantation should be considered in patients with a spontaneous diagnostic type I EKG pattern and history of syncope.
• 3. ICD implantation may be considered in patients with a diagnosis of Brugada syndrome who develop ventricular fibrillation during programmed ventricular stimulation with two or three extrastimuli at two sites.
• 4. ICD implantation is not indicated in asymptomatic patients with a drug-induced type I EKG and on the basis of a family history of sudden cardiac death alone.

Catheter Ablation:

Recently it has been suggested that epicardial catheter ablation over the anterior RVOT may prevent electrical storms in patients with recurring episodes, but the data require confirmation before entering general clinical practice.

Therefore, vatheter ablation may be considered in patients with a history of electrical storms or repeated appropriate ICD shocks ⁵.