Brugada Syndrome: A Newly Recognized Sudden Death Syndrome in Hong Kong

Abstract

Since Brugada syndrome was first described in 1991, it has been recognized world-wide as an important cause of sudden cardiac death. The past decade witnessed a large body of medical literature that has shed light on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of this peculiar syndrome. In Hong Kong this syndrome was first reported in April 1999. Since then it has been increasingly identified among local Chinese patients as a cause of sudden arrhythmic death and unexplained syncope or seizure. Local study on the clinical and genetic aspects of Brugada syndrome is underway. This article reviews our current understanding of the Brugada syndrome and the clinical profile of local Chinese patients suffering from this syndrome.