Brugada syndrome

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**Brugada syndrome**
*Classifications and external resources*
OMIM	601144
DiseasesDB	31999

The Brugada syndrome is a genetic disease that is manifest by abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) findings and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. It is also known as Sudden Unexpected Death Syndrome^[1] (SUDS), and is the most common cause of sudden death in young men without known underlying cardiac disease in Thailand and Laos^[2].

Although the ECG findings of Brugada syndrome were first reported^[3] among survivors of cardiac arrest in 1989, it was only in 1992 that the Brugada brothers^[4] recognised it as a distinct clinical entity, causing sudden death by causing ventricular fibrillation (a lethal arrhythmia) in the heart.

1 Genetics and pathophysiology
2 Electrocardiography
3 Treatment
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Genetics and pathophysiology

Approximately 20% of the cases of Brugada syndrome have been shown to be associated with mutation(s) in the gene that encodes for the sodium ion channel in the cell membranes of the muscle cells of the heart (the myocytes). The gene, named SCN5A, is located on the short arm of the third chromosome (3p21). Loss-of-function mutations in this gene lead to a loss of the action potential dome of some epicardial areas of the right ventricle. This results in transmural and epicardial dispersion of repolarization. The transmural dispersion underlies ST-segment elevation and the development of a vulnerable window across the ventricular wall, whereas the epicardial dispersion of repolarization facilitates the development of phase 2 reentry, which generates a phase 2 reentrant extrasystole that captures the vulnerable window to precipitate ventricular tachycardia and/or fibrillation that often results in sudden cardiac death.

Over 160 mutations in the SCN5A gene have been discovered to date (Napolitano & Priori, 2006)each having varying mechanisms and effects on function, thereby explaining the varying degrees of penetration and expression of this disorder. An example of one of the mechanisms in which a loss of function of the sodium channel occurs is a mutation in the gene that disrupts the sodium channel's ability to bind properly to ankyrin-G, an important protein mediating interaction between ion channels and cytoskeletal elements. Very recently a mutation in a second gene, Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase 1-Like Gene (GPD1L)has been shown to result in Brugada Syndrome in a large multigenerational family (London, 2006). This gene acts as an ion channel modulator in the heart, although the exact mechanism is not yet understood.

This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern and is more common in males. In addition it has a higher prevalence in most Asian populations.

[edit] Electrocardiography

In some cases, the disease can be detected by observing characteristic patterns on an electrocardiogram, which may be present all the time, or might be elicited by the administration of particular drugs, or resurface spontaneously due to as yet unclarified triggers. The pattern seen on the ECG is persistent ST elevations in the electrocardiographic leadsV₁-V₃ with a right bundle branch block (RBBB) appearance with or without the terminal S waves in the lateral leads that are associated with a typical RBBB. A prolongation of the PR interval (a conduction disturbance in the heart) is also frequently seen.

[edit] Treatment

The cause of death in Brugada syndrome is ventricular fibrillation. While there is no treatment modality that prevents ventricular fibrillation from occurring in this syndrome, treatment lies in termination of this lethal arrhythmia before it causes death. This is done via implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), which continuously monitors the heart rhythm and will defibrillate an individual if ventricular fibrillation is noted. Those with risk factors for coronary artery disease may require an angiogram before ICD implantation.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Hong K, Berruezo-Sanchez A, Poungvarin N, Oliva A, Vatta M, Brugada J, Brugada P, Towbin JA, Dumaine R, Pinero-Galvez C, Antzelevitch C, Brugada R. Phenotypic characterization of a large European family with Brugada syndrome displaying a sudden unexpected death syndrome mutation in SCN5A. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2004 Jan;15(1):64-9. PMID 15028074
^ Brugada J, Brugada P, Brugada R. The syndrome of right bundle branch block ST segment elevation in V1 to V3 and sudden death--the Brugada syndrome. Europace. 1999 Jul;1(3):156-66. PMID 11225790
^ Martini B, Nava A, Thiene G, Buja GF, Canciani B, Scognamiglio R, Daliento L, Dalla Volta S. Ventricular fibrillation without apparent heart disease: description of six cases. Am Heart J 1989 Dec;118(6):1203-9 PMID: 2589161
^ Brugada P, Brugada J. Right bundle branch block, persistent ST segment elevation and sudden cardiac death: a distinct clinical and electrocardiographic syndrome. A multicenter report. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1992 Nov 15;20(6):1391-6. PMID 1309182