Brugada syndrome: Diagnosis, risk stratification and management

Arch Cardiovasc Dis. 2017 Mar;110(3):188-195. doi: 10.1016/j.acvd.2016.09.009. Epub 2017 Jan 27.

Abstract

Brugada syndrome is a rare inherited arrhythmia syndrome leading to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, despite a structurally normal heart. Diagnosis is based on a specific electrocardiogram pattern, observed either spontaneously or during a sodium channel blocker test. Among affected patients, risk stratification remains a challenge, despite recent insights from large population cohorts. As implantable cardiac defibrillators - the main therapy in Brugada syndrome - are associated with a high rate of complications in this population, the main challenge is risk stratification of patients with Brugada syndrome. Aside from the two main predictors of arrhythmia (symptoms and spontaneous electrocardiogram pattern), many risk factors have been recently suggested for stratifying risk of sudden cardiac death in Brugada syndrome. We have reviewed these data and discuss current guidelines in light of recent progress in this complex field.

Keywords: Brugada syndrome; Diagnosis; Diagnostic; Mort subite; Prognosis; Pronostic; Risk stratification; Stratification du risque; Sudden cardiac death; Syndrome de Brugada.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brugada Syndrome / complications
  • Brugada Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Brugada Syndrome / mortality
  • Brugada Syndrome / therapy*
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / prevention & control*
  • Defibrillators, Implantable* / standards
  • Electric Countershock / adverse effects
  • Electric Countershock / instrumentation*
  • Electric Countershock / standards
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac
  • Humans
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome