Brugada Syndrome

Brugada Syndrome Diagnosis

Brugada syndrome is usually diagnosed in adults and sometimes in adolescents, while it is rarely detected in young children because symptoms often go unnoticed.

Diagnosis involves:

• Physical Exam

  • Your healthcare provider will examine your heart and listen to it using a stethoscope.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

  • An ECG records the electrical signals of your heart using electrodes on the chest and limbs.

  • Detects irregular heart rhythms and structural problems.

  • If initial results are normal, a 24-hour Holter monitor may be recommended to record heart activity continuously.

  • Sometimes medication-induced ECGs are used to reveal hidden irregular heartbeats.

• Echocardiogram

  • Uses sound waves to create images of the heart.

  • Helps identify structural heart problems, though it cannot diagnose Brugada syndrome alone.

• Electrophysiological (EP) Study

  • Thin catheters with electrodes are threaded into the heart to map electrical activity.

  • Used in suspected cases to confirm risk of arrhythmias.

• Genetic Testing

  • May be recommended to detect inherited forms of Brugada syndrome.

Brugada Syndrome Treatment

Treatment depends on the risk of serious arrhythmias. People at higher risk include those with:

• Personal history of serious arrhythmias

• Fainting spells

• Survived sudden cardiac arrest

If you have Brugada syndrome but no symptoms, treatment may focus on preventive measures:

• Fever Management

  • Fever can trigger irregular heartbeats; use fever-reducing medications promptly.

• Avoid Risky Medications and Alcohol

  • Certain heart medications, antidepressants, and excess alcohol may increase arrhythmia risk.

• Limit Competitive Sports

  • People at high risk should avoid strenuous sports after consulting their healthcare provider.

Medications

• Quinidine and other antiarrhythmic medications may be prescribed.

• Sometimes medications are used alongside an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

Surgery and Procedures

• Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)

  • A small device placed in the chest to monitor and correct irregular heartbeats.

  • May deliver shocks when needed; discuss risks and benefits with your provider.

• Catheter Ablation

  • A procedure that destroys heart tissue causing arrhythmias using a catheter inserted through a blood vessel.

• Regular Checkups

  • Ongoing monitoring ensures early detection of complications and adjustment of treatment plans.

Key Takeaways

• Early diagnosis and management are critical for Brugada syndrome.

• Preventive steps, medications, and procedures like ICD or ablation can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac events.

• Lifestyle modifications and careful medication review are important to keep heart rhythms stable.