ST Segment Elevation and Sudden Cardiac Death: From the Brugada Syndrome to Acute Myocardial Ischemia

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in healthy young men was first recognized in 1917. Combined with an electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormality reported in 1953, the resulting syndrome would by 1996 eventually be recognized worldwide as Brugada Syndrome (BrS). There is evidence that “labeling” (i.e. the process of naming a disease state or ascribing a diagnosis) alters perceptions, awareness and behaviours in medicine. Our objective was to determine whether naming a cluster of signs and symptoms as a specific syndrome raised attention given to a previously recognized though poorly defined condition as evidenced through an increase in publications. We hypothesized that naming BrS resulted in such a “labeling” stimulus. A systematic review of the Pubmed database of indexed journals was performed to identify references to BrS between 1950 and 2006. Search terms were: “Brugada Syndrome”; “Sudden Cardiac Death AND Right Bundle Branch Block”; “Bangungot” (Filipino); “Bangungut” (Filipino); “Pok kuri” (Japanese); “Lai tai” (Thai); “Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome”; and “SUNDS”. Publications identified after 1996 by search strategies other than “Brugada Syndrome” were omitted to avoid double counting. The search resulted in 1,042 citations. Of these, 208 occurred after 1996 and were omitted, leaving a total of 834 citations to be analyzed. Between 1950 and 1993 a total of 32 publications met the above search criteria. Thereafter, publication rate on this topic increased exponentially from 16 articles in 1994-1995 to 290 in 2005-2006. Though numerous articles recognized either RBBB-like ECG pattern, ST segment elevation or SCD in otherwise healthy young men, it was not until publication of the 1992 Brugada and Brugada paper that the coexistence of these two conditions was recognized as a syndrome. Rising interest, as identified by publication frequency, preceded the naming of this syndrome by 4 years. This finding suggests that factors other than labeling have also contributed to the publication history of BrS. Osher H, Wolff L. Electrocardiographic pattern simulating acute myocardial injury. Am J Med Sci 1953; 226:541-5. Brugada P, Brugada J. Right bundle branch block, persisting ST segment elevation and sudden cardiac death: A distinct clinical and electrocardiographic syndrome. J Am Coll Cardiol 1992; 20:1391-6. Yan G-X, Antzelevitch C. Cellular basis for the electrocardiographic J wave. Circulation 1996; 93:372-9.

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Brugada Syndrome: Fatal Consequences of a Must-Not-Miss Diagnosis

Critical Care Nurse ◽

10.4037/ccn2021499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 15-22

Author(s):

L. Douglas Smith ◽

Sarah Gast ◽

Danielle F. Guy

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Critical Care ◽

Sudden Cardiac Death ◽

Ventricular Arrhythmia ◽

Brugada Syndrome ◽

Cardiac Death ◽

Lifestyle Modification ◽

Genetic Disorder ◽

Cardiac Conduction ◽

St Segment Elevation

Background Brugada syndrome is a genetic disorder of cardiac conduction that predisposes patients to spontaneous ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Although Brugada syndrome is one of the most common causes of sudden cardiac death, patients presenting with the syndrome often go misdiagnosed. This error has potentially fatal consequences for patients, who are at risk for sudden cardiac death without appropriate management. Objective To increase the critical care professional’s knowledge of Brugada syndrome through detailed description of the characteristic electrocardiographic findings, an algorithmic approach to electrocardiogram evaluation, and a case report of a patient with a previously missed diagnosis of Brugada syndrome. The essential concepts of epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, risk stratification, and management are reviewed for critical care professionals who may encounter patients with the syndrome. Diagnosis Patients typically present with syncope or cardiac arrest and an abnormal electrocardiographic finding of ST-segment elevation in the precordial leads. The diagnosis of Brugada syndrome centers on identification of its electrocardiographic characteristics by critical care professionals who routinely evaluate electrocardiograms. Critical care professionals, especially nurses and advanced practice nurses, should be proficient in recognizing the electrocardiographic appearance of Brugada syndrome and initiating appropriate management. Interventions Management strategies include prevention of sudden cardiac death through lifestyle modification and placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Critical care professionals should be aware of commonly used medications that may exacerbate ventricular arrhythmia and place patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. Conclusion Increased awareness of Brugada syndrome among critical care professionals can decrease patient morbidity and mortality.

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