Open AccessECG interpretation in Brugada syndrome
Author(s) -
Nishizaki Mitsuhiro,
Yamawake Noriyoshi,
Sakurada Harumizu,
Hiraoka Masayasu
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of arrhythmia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.463
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1883-2148
pISSN - 1880-4276
DOI - 10.1016/j.joa.2013.01.001
Subject(s) - brugada syndrome , medicine , asymptomatic , cardiology , electrocardiography
Type 1 ST‐segment elevation is diagnostic of Brugada syndrome and its presence may be associated with a high risk of arrhythmic events. However, similar changes on electrocardiogram (ECG) are observed in various normal and abnormal conditions. A type 1 ECG can also be unmasked by administration of sodium channel blockers in equivocal or suspected cases of Brugada syndrome, and this drug challenge test is frequently used in the diagnosis of symptomatic patients showing non‐type 1 ECG patterns. The presence of a transient spontaneous type 1 ECG rather than a drug‐induced type I ECG is an important sign for risk prediction of arrhythmia events, even in asymptomatic patients. In asymptomatic individuals, multiple and repeated ECG recordings rather than drug testing are recommended for detecting the transient appearance of a spontaneous type 1 ECG, which may indicate the future development of arrhythmic events. There is little doubt that ECG interpretation, including diagnostic criteria and differential diagnosis, constitutes the hallmark of Brugada syndrome.