Risk stratification in Brugada syndrome

Abstract

Brugada syndrome is an arrhythmogenic disease associated with sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias. The risk stratification of patients without previous cardiac arrest remains the most controversial issue, especially for asymptomatic individuals, in Brugada syndrome. We review the recent data of several clinical, electrocardiographic, and electrophysiological parameters proposed for risk stratification. A history of documented fatal ventricular arrhythmias or aborted sudden cardiac death and/or arrhythmogenic syncope is a predictor of arrhythmic events, whereas the prognostic value of a familial history of sudden cardiac death and the presence of an SCN5A mutation are not well defined. On the electrocardiographic features, the spontaneous type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) is associated with the risk for arrhythmic events in most of the studies, whereas early repolarization and fragmented QRS increases the risk in some studies. Late potentials using signal-averaged ECG and microscopic T-wave alternans indicate some available results in small studies that should be validated. The prognostic value of programmed electrical stimulation during electrophysiological study as a risk marker also remains controversial. A less aggressive protocol of programmed electrical stimulation may be preferable for risk stratification in the Brugada syndrome patients without previous cardiac arrest. Multiparametric approaches evaluating specific clinical factors and ECG may improve risk stratification.