Brugada Syndrome: Difference between revisions

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The '''Brugada syndrome is an hereditary disease that is associated with higher risk of sudden cardiac death'''. It is characterized by typical ECG abnormalities: '''ST segment elevation in the precordial leads (V1 - V3)'''.
The '''Brugada syndrome is an hereditary disease that is associated with high risk of sudden cardiac death'''. It is characterized by typical ECG abnormalities: '''ST segment elevation in the precordial leads (V1 - V3)'''.


==Characteristics of the Brugada syndrome:==
==Characteristics of the Brugada syndrome:==
*Inheritable arrhythmia syndrome with [[w:Autosomal_dominant|autosomal dominant]] inheritance. If one of the two parents is affected, each child (both males and females) has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease.
*Inheritable arrhythmia syndrome with [[w:Autosomal_dominant|autosomal dominant]] inheritance. If one of the two parents is affected, each child (both males and females) has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease.
*Males are more often symptomatic than females, probably by the influence of sex hormones on cardiac arrhythmias and/or ion channels, and a different distribution of ion channels across the heart in males versus females.
*Males are more often symptomatic than females, probably by the influence of sex hormones on cardiac arrhythmias and/or ion channels, and a different distribution of ion channels across the heart in males versus females.
*The arrhythmias usually occur between 30 and 40 years of age. (range 1-77 yrs) and often during rest or while sleeping (high vagal tone).
*The arrhythmias usually occur in patients between 30 and 40 years of age. (range 1-77 yrs) and often during rest or while sleeping (high vagal tone).
*Only in about 30% of patients, genetic defects can be detected in the ([http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene=scn5a SCN5A]) gene which encodes the cardiac sodium channel (loss-of-function mutation). In much smaller quantities mutations may be found in the GPD1L gene (which probably influences cardiac sodium channel function) or in cardiac calcium channel encoding genes (CACNxxx). In the other patients, the disease is probably multi-genetic or caused by yet unknown genetic defects.
*In only about 30% of patients, genetic defects can be detected in the ([http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene=scn5a SCN5A]) gene which encodes the cardiac sodium channel (loss-of-function mutation). In much smaller quantities, mutations may be found in the GPD1L gene (which probably influences cardiac sodium channel function) or in cardiac calcium channel encoding genes (CACNxxx). In the remaining patients, the disease is probably multi-genetic or caused by yet unknown genetic defects.
*The right ventricle is most affected in Brugada syndrome, and particularly (but not specifically) the right ventricular outflow tract .  
*The right ventricle is most affected in Brugada syndrome, and particularly (but not specifically) the right ventricular outflow tract .  
*The prevalence varies between 5-50:10.000, largely depending on geographic location. In some south-east Asian countries the disease is considered endemic and believed to be the second cause of death amongst young men (after car accidents). In these countries Brugada syndrome is believed to underly (in part) the 'Sudden Unexpected Death Syndrome' (SUDS). This relation has however not been thoroughly investigated and there are almost no epidemiological studies into Brugada syndrome ECGs (apart from Japan). In different Asian countries, different names have been given to SUDS: in the Phillipines it is called ''bangungut'' (to rise and moan in sleep) and in Thailand ''lai tai'' (death during sleep).  
*The prevalence varies between 5-50:10.000, largely depending on geographic location. In some southeast Asian countries the disease is considered endemic and believed to be the second cause of death among young men (after car accidents). In these countries Brugada syndrome is believed to underly (in part) the 'Sudden Unexpected Death Syndrome' (SUDS). This relation has, however, not been thoroughly investigated and there are almost no epidemiological studies into Brugada syndrome ECGs (apart from Japan). In different Asian countries, different names have been given to SUDS: in the Phillipines it is called ''bangungut'' (to rise and moan in sleep) and in Thailand ''lai tai'' (death during sleep).  


The Brugada brothers were the first to describe the characteristic ECG findings and link them to sudden death. Before that, the characteristic ECG findings, were often mistaken for a [[Right_Ventricle_MI|right ventricle myocardial infarction]] and already in 1953, a publication mentions that the ECG findings were not associated with ischemia as people often expected.<cite>osher</cite>
The Brugada brothers were the first to describe the characteristic ECG findings and link them to sudden death. Before that, the characteristic ECG findings, were often mistaken for a [[Right_Ventricle_MI|right ventricle myocardial infarction]] and already in 1953, a publication mentions that the ECG findings were not associated with ischemia as people often expected.<cite>osher</cite>
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==Diagnosis and treatment==
==Diagnosis and treatment==


*Patients who are symptomatic (unexplained syncopes, ventricular tachycardias or aborted sudden cardiac death) may have a symptom recurrence risk of 2 to 10% per year. In these patients an [[:w:nl:Internal_Cardiac_Defibrillator|ICD]] is adviced to be implanted. Further, life-style advices are given (see below).
*Patients who are symptomatic (unexplained syncopes, ventricular tachycardias or aborted sudden cardiac death) may have a symptom recurrence risk of 2 to 10% per year. In these patients an [[:w:nl:Internal_Cardiac_Defibrillator|ICD]] implant is advisable. Further, life-style advice is given (see below).
*Some groups advice an electrophysiological investigation (inducibility of ventricular fibrillation) for risk assessment in Brugada patients,<cite>brug2</cite><cite>brug3</cite> but others could not reproduce the predictive value of these tests,<cite>priori</cite><cite>eckhardt</cite> so the value of inducibility is controversial.
*Some groups advise an electrophysiological investigation (inducibility of ventricular fibrillation) for risk assessment in Brugada patients,<cite>brug2</cite><cite>brug3</cite> but others could not reproduce the predictive value of these tests,<cite>priori</cite><cite>eckhardt</cite> so the value of inducibility is controversial.
*In large studies familial sudden death did not appear to be a risk factor for sudden death in siblings.
*In large studies familial sudden death did not appear to be a risk factor for sudden death in siblings.
*In asymptomatic patients in whom the Brugada ECG characteristics are present (either spontaneously or provoked by fever or sodium channel blockers like ajmaline, procainimde or flecainide) life style advices are given, which include:
*In asymptomatic patients in whom the Brugada ECG characteristics are present (either spontaneously or provoked by fever or sodium channel blockers like ajmaline, procainimde or flecainide) life style advice is given. This advice includes:
**A number of medications should not be taken (amongst which sodium channel blockers such as certain anti-depressants and anti-arrhythmics, see [http://www.brugadadrugs.org www.BrugadaDrugs.org])
**A number of medications should not be taken (including sodium channel blockers and certain anti-depressants and anti-arrhythmics, see [http://www.brugadadrugs.org www.BrugadaDrugs.org])
**Rigorous treatment of fever with paracetamol / Tylenol, as fever may elicited the Brugada ECG and arrhythmias in some patients.
**Rigorous treatment of fever with paracetamol/Tylenol, as fever may elicit a Brugada ECG and arrhythmias in some patients.
* Spontaneous Type I ECGs do appear to be more prevalent in patients who experienced symptoms.
* Spontaneous Type I ECGs do appear to be more prevalent in patients who experienced symptoms.


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Three ECG repolarization patterns in the right precordial leads are recognized in the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome.
Three ECG repolarization patterns in the right precordial leads are recognized in the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome.


'''Type I''' is the only ECG criterion that is diagnostic of Brugada syndrome. The type I ECG is characterized by a J elevation >=2 mm (0.2 mV) a coved type ST segment followed by a negative T wave (see figure). Brugada syndrome is definitively diagnosed when a type 1 ST-segment is observed in >1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3) in the presence or absence of a sodium channel–blocking agent, and in conjunction with one of the following:  
'''Type I''' is the only ECG criterion that is diagnostic of Brugada syndrome. The type I ECG is characterized by a J elevation >=2 mm (0.2 mV) a curved type ST segment followed by a negative T wave (see figure). Brugada syndrome is definitively diagnosed when a type 1 ST-segment is observed in >1 right precordial lead (V1 to V3) in the presence or absence of a sodium channel–blocking agent, and in conjunction with one of the following:  
*documented ventricular fibrillation (VF)
*documented ventricular fibrillation (VF)
*polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT)
*polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT)
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A type III ECG is rather common and is considered a normal variant, but also the Type II is a normal variant (albeit suggestive of Brugada syndrome).
A type III ECG is rather common and is considered a normal variant, but also the Type II is a normal variant (albeit suggestive of Brugada syndrome).


A recent study suggests that''' fractionation of the QRS complex''' is a marker of worse prognosis in Brugada syndrome.<cite>Morita</cite>
A recent study suggests that''' fractionation of the QRS complex''' is a marker of a worse prognosis in Brugada syndrome.<cite>Morita</cite>


{| class="wikitable" font-size="90%"
{| class="wikitable" font-size="90%"
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|-
|-
!T wave
!T wave
|negative
|Negative
|positive or biphasis
|Positive or biphasis
|positive
|Positive
|-
|-
!ST-T configuration
!ST-T configuration
|coved type
|Coved type
|saddleback
|Saddleback
|saddleback
|Saddleback
|-
|-
!ST segment (terminal portion)
!ST segment (terminal portion)
|gradually descending
|Gradually descending
|elevated >= 1mm
|Elevated >= 1mm
|elevated < 1mm
|Elevated < 1mm
|-
|-
|}
|}
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*[http://www.brugada.org Brugada.org ]
*[http://www.brugada.org Brugada.org ]
*[http://www.genereviews.org/servlet/access?id=8888891&key=ghdBRjkdNXE6y&gry=INSERTGRY&fcn=y&fw=E0gK&filename=/profiles/brugada/index.html Genereview Brugada]
*[http://www.genereviews.org/servlet/access?id=8888891&key=ghdBRjkdNXE6y&gry=INSERTGRY&fcn=y&fw=E0gK&filename=/profiles/brugada/index.html Genereview Brugada]
*[http://www.brugadadrugs.org Brugadadrugs contains lists of medication that should be avoided in patients with Brugada syndrome and medication that can be used to diagnose the syndrome]
*[http://www.brugadadrugs.org Brugada drugs contains lists of medications that should be avoided in patients with Brugada syndrome and medication that can be used to diagnose the syndrome]


==Referenties==
==Referenties==
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