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<section id="hl0005480"><a id="sec10"></a><section id="hl0007506"><a id="sec10.9"></a><section id="hl0007580"><a id="sec10.9.1"></a><section id="hl0007917"><a id="sec10.9.1.3"></a><a id="sectitle0450"></a><h3 id="hl0007919"><span class="section-label">7.9.1.3</span>&nbsp;Brugada Syndrome</h3><div id="undtbl35" class="table"><div class="inline-table-caption">Recommendations for Brugada Syndrome</div><div class="inline-table-caption">References that support the recommendations are summarized in <a id="hl0007926" href="http://jaccjacc.acc.org/Clinical_Document/2017_VASCD_Data_Supplement.pdf" target="_blank">Online Data Supplement 42</a> and Systematic Review Report. </div><div><table id="hl0007927"><thead><tr><th id="hl0007933" scope="col" class="table-align-">COR</th><th id="hl0007934" scope="col" class="table-align-">LOE</th><th id="hl0007935" scope="col" class="table-align-">Recommendations</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td id="hl0007938" class="table-align-"><b>I</b></td><td id="hl0007940" class="table-align-"><b>B-NR</b></td><td id="hl0007942" class="table-align-"><ul id="hl0007943"><li id="hl0007944"><span class="list-item-label"></span><p id="hl0007947"><b>In asymptomatic patients with only inducible type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern, observation without therapy is recommended.</b></p></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td id="hl0007950" class="table-align-"><b>I</b></td><td id="hl0007952" class="table-align-"><b>B-NR</b></td><td id="hl0007954" class="table-align-"><ul id="hl0007955"><li id="hl0007956"><span class="list-item-label"></span><p id="hl0007959"><b>In patients with Brugada syndrome with spontaneous type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern and cardiac arrest, sustained VA or a recent history of syncope presumed due to VA, an ICD is recommended if meaningful survival of greater than 1 year is expected</b><a class="inline-reference" href="#bib856"><b>[1]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib858"><b>[2]</b></a><b>.</b></p></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td id="hl0007965" class="table-align-"><b>I</b></td><td id="hl0007967" class="table-align-"><b>B-NR</b></td><td id="hl0007969" class="table-align-"><ul id="hl0007970"><li id="hl0007971"><span class="list-item-label"></span><p id="hl0007974"><b>In patients with Brugada syndrome experiencing recurrent ICD shocks for polymorphic VT, intensification of therapy with quinidine or catheter ablation is recommended</b><a class="inline-reference" href="#bib859"><b>[1]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib860"><b>[2]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib861"><b>[3]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib862"><b>[4]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib863"><b>[5]</b></a><b>.</b></p></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td id="hl0007980" class="table-align-"><b>I</b></td><td id="hl0007982" class="table-align-"><b>B-NR</b></td><td id="hl0007984" class="table-align-"><ul id="hl0007985"><li id="hl0007986"><span class="list-item-label"></span><p id="hl0007989"><b>In patients with spontaneous type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern and symptomatic VA who either are not candidates for or decline an ICD, quinidine or catheter ablation is recommended</b><a class="inline-reference" href="#bib859"><b>[1]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib861"><b>[2]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib862"><b>[3]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib863"><b>[4]</b></a><b>.</b></p></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td id="hl0007995" class="table-align-"><b>IIa</b></td><td id="hl0007997" class="table-align-"><b>B-NR</b></td><td id="hl0007999" class="table-align-"><ul id="hl0008000"><li id="hl0008001"><span class="list-item-label"></span><p id="hl0008004"><b>In patients with suspected Brugada syndrome in the absence of a spontaneous type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern, a pharmacological challenge using a sodium channel blocker can be useful for diagnosis</b><a class="inline-reference" href="#bib864"><b>[1]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib865"><b>[2]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib866"><b>[3]</b></a><b>.</b></p></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td id="hl0008010" class="table-align-"><b>IIb</b></td><td id="hl0008012" class="table-align-"><b>B-NR</b><sup>SR</sup></td><td id="hl0008015" class="table-align-"><ul id="hl0008016"><li id="hl0008017"><span class="list-item-label"></span><p id="hl0008020"><b>In patients with asymptomatic Brugada syndrome and a spontaneous type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern, an electrophysiological study with programmed ventricular stimulation using single and double extrastimuli may be considered for further risk stratification</b><a class="inline-reference" href="#bib853"><b>[1]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib858"><b>[2]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib865"><b>[3]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib867"><b>[4]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib868"><b>[5]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib869"><b>[6]</b></a><b>.</b></p></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td id="hl0008026" class="table-align-"><b>IIb</b></td><td id="hl0008028" class="table-align-"><b>C-EO</b></td><td id="hl0008030" class="table-align-"><ul id="hl0008031"><li id="hl0008032"><span class="list-item-label"></span><p id="hl0008035"><b>In patients with suspected or established Brugada syndrome, genetic counseling and genetic testing may be useful to facilitate cascade screening of relatives</b><a class="inline-reference" href="#bib870"><b>[1]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib871"><b>[2]</b></a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib872"><b>[3]</b></a><b>.</b></p></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="inline-table-caption">SR indicated systematic review.</div></div><p id="hl0008042"><i>and</i>. </p><div class="inline-image figure" id="fig14"><figure><figcaption class="inline-image-label">Figure 14</figcaption><img src="//" alt="" data-eid="1-s2.0-S0735109717413064" data-locator="gr14" data-attachment-filename="07351097/S0735109717X00442/S0735109717413064/gr14-t.gif"><div class="caption-holder"><div class="inline-image-caption">Prevention of SCD in Patients With Brugada Syndrome</div><div class="inline-image-caption">Colors correspond to Class of Recommendation in . See  for discussion. *ICD candidacy as determined by functional status, life expectancy or patient preference. 1° indicates primary; ECG, electrocardiogram; EP, electrophysiological; ICD implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; SCD, sudden cardiac death; VT, ventricular tachycardia; and VF, ventricular fibrillation. </div></div></figure></div><div class="inline-image figure" id="fig15"><figure><figcaption class="inline-image-label">Figure 15</figcaption><img src="//" alt="" data-eid="1-s2.0-S0735109717413064" data-locator="gr15" data-attachment-filename="07351097/S0735109717X00442/S0735109717413064/gr15-t.gif"><div class="caption-holder"><div class="inline-image-caption">Brugada Syndrome</div></div></figure></div><p id="hl0008050"><b>Synopsis</b></p><p id="hl0008052">Refer to the “Systematic Review for the 2017 ACC/AHA/HRS Guideline for Management of Patients With Ventricular Arrhythmias and the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death” for the complete systematic evidence review for additional data and analyses <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib867">(S7.9.1.3-15)</a>. The results from the question “For asymptomatic patients with Brugada syndrome, what is the association between an abnormal EP study and SCD and other arrhythmia endpoints? (Part 1)” and the writing committee’s review of the totality of the literature were used to frame decision-making. Recommendations that are based on a body of evidence that includes the systematic review conducted by the ERC are denoted by the superscript SR (e.g., LOE: B-R <sup>SR</sup>). </p><p id="hl0008055">Factors identified as potential triggers of VF and SCA in Brugada syndrome include some psychotropic medications, and anesthetic agents, cocaine, excessive alcohol intake, and fever (<a id="hl0008056" href="http://www.brugadadrugs.org" target="_blank">www.brugadadrugs.org</a>) <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib873">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib874">[2]</a>. These agents should be avoided, and fever warrants early and aggressive measures to reduce temperature <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib875">(S7.9.1.3-23)</a>. </p><p id="hl0008059"><b>Recommendation-Specific Supportive Text</b></p><ul id="hl0008061"><li id="hl0008062"><span class="list-item-label">1.</span><p id="hl0008064">The risk of major adverse cardiac events in asymptomatic patients without spontaneous type 1 electrocardiographic changes of Brugada syndrome ( ), or with only medication-induced electrocardiographic changes, is low <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib853">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib854">[2]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib855">[3]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib856">[4]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib857">[5]</a>. A positive family history of Brugada syndrome or SCA is not a significant predictor of adverse events in Brugada syndrome <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib853">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib854">[2]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib856">[3]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib857">[4]</a>. Implantation of an ICD in an asymptomatic patient without a spontaneous type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic has not been shown to confer any benefit. </p></li><li id="hl0008068"><span class="list-item-label">2.</span><p id="hl0008070">Brugada syndrome is characterized by coved ST elevation in leads V1 or V2 positioned in the second, third, or fourth intercostal space either spontaneously or induced by administration of a sodium channel–blocking drug in the absence of other causes of ST elevation <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib876">(S7.9.1.3-24)</a> and negative T waves in the right precordial leads, and is associated with syncope or SCA due to VF, predominantly in young males, although it has been reported in all age groups. The type 1 Brugada ECG with coved ST elevation in right precordial leads may be present spontaneously, during fever or vagotonic states, or after medication challenge with sodium channel blockers. QRS complex fractionation is seen in a minority of patients. Patients with spontaneous coved type ST elevation and a history of syncope or prior SCA are at the highest risk for potentially lethal VA. ICD implantation has been shown to reduce mortality in symptomatic patients with Brugada syndrome <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib877">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib878">[2]</a>. </p></li><li id="hl0008073"><span class="list-item-label">3.</span><p id="hl0008075">Ablation of abnormal areas of epicardial late activation in the RV can suppress recurrent VA as shown in a small number of patients <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib860">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib861">[2]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib863">[3]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib879">[4]</a>. In these reports, the spontaneous type 1 Brugada pattern on ECG may be eliminated in &gt;75% of patients, and recurrences of VT/VF are markedly reduced <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib861">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib862">[2]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib863">[3]</a>. Experience and follow-up after ablation are limited, and an ICD for patients who have had syncope or SCA is recommended. A series of patients with Brugada syndrome treated with quinidine had no deaths during a mean follow-up of over 9 years, although adverse effects of quinidine were reported in 38% of patients, these authors felt that quinidine could be used as an alternative to the ICD in selected patients <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib859">(S7.9.1.3-7)</a>. </p></li><li id="hl0008079"><span class="list-item-label">4.</span><p id="hl0008081">Observational studies show that quinidine can suppress VF storm in patients with Brugada syndrome, and a low risk of arrhythmia was observed in a long-term observational study (681). No patient treated with quinidine experienced SCD. Adverse effects of quinidine occur in up to 37% of patients. Catheter ablation targeting the epicardial right ventricular areas of abnormality has also been shown to reduce recurrent VF episodes and normalize the ECG (682, 684, 685).</p></li><li id="hl0008082"><span class="list-item-label">5.</span><p id="hl0008084">Administration of procainamide, flecainide, or ajmaline may be useful to provoke type 1 ST elevation in patients suspected to have Brugada syndrome as a cause of symptoms but who do not have a type 1 electrocardiographic pattern at baseline. Medication challenge should be terminated with the development of VA, marked QRS widening, or type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib866">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib880">[2]</a>. The use of high electrocardiographic electrode positioning in the second and third interspaces for electrocardiographic recording improves detection of a type 1 Brugada ECG <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib881">(S7.9.1.3-29)</a>. Asymptomatic patients with a family history of Brugada syndrome may be offered sodium channel blocker challenge for diagnostic evaluation, although a positive test does not require chronic therapy due to a low risk in this setting <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib864">(S7.9.1.3-12)</a>. In asymptomatic patients with type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic findings, medication challenge does not offer additional diagnostic value. </p></li><li id="hl0008088"><span class="list-item-label">6.</span><p id="hl0008090">Polymorphic VT/VF induced by programmed stimulation has been associated with an increased risk of VA in some patients with spontaneous type 1 Brugada ECG <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib865">(S7.9.1.3-13)</a>. The specificity of programmed stimulation for assessing risk decreases with the inclusion of triple extrastimuli <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib858">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib865">[2]</a>. The value of programmed stimulation in asymptomatic patients with spontaneous type 1 Brugada ECGs has been the subject of multiple studies <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib853">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib854">[2]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib856">[3]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib857">[4]</a>. A report found that the prognostic value has decreased over time, possibly as patients with less severe phenotypes have been recognized and studied <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib853">(S7.9.1.3-1)</a>. Some experts use the results of programmed ventricular stimulation for informing shared decision-making in consideration of the ICD. In symptomatic patients with Brugada syndrome, programmed ventricular stimulation for risk stratification does not add anything to the evaluation of the patients as an ICD is warranted <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib854">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib856">[2]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib858">[3]</a>. </p></li><li id="hl0008096"><span class="list-item-label">7.</span><p id="hl0008098">The yield of genetic testing in phenotype positive patients is approximately 20% to 30% in Brugada syndrome <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib856">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib868">[2]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib870">[3]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib871">[4]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib882">[5]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib883">[6]</a>. <i>SCN5A</i> variants account for most of this subset of genotype positive Brugada syndrome. However, 2% to 10% of otherwise healthy individuals host a rare variant of <i>SCN5A</i><a class="inline-reference" href="#bib872">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib883">[2]</a>. A negative genetic test does not exclude the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome, which is usually based on electrocardiographic and clinical characteristics. Risk stratification is based on symptoms and clinical findings <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib884">(S7.9.1.3-32)</a>; genotype status is not correlated with the risk of adverse events <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib857">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib870">[2]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib871">[3]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib885">[4]</a>. Identification of a pathogenetic mutation may help facilitate recognition of carrier status in family members, allowing for lifestyle modification and potential treatment. </p></li><li id="hl0008105"><span class="list-item-label">8.</span><p id="hl0008107">Factors identified as potential triggers of VF and SCA in Brugada syndrome include some psychotropic medications, and anesthetic agents, cocaine, excessive alcohol intake, and fever (<a id="hl0008108" href="http://www.brugadadrugs.org" target="_blank">www.brugadadrugs.org</a>) <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib873">[1]</a>,&nbsp;<a class="inline-reference" href="#bib874">[2]</a>. These agents should be avoided and fever warrants early and aggressive measures to reduce temperature <a class="inline-reference" href="#bib875">(S7.9.1.3-23)</a>. </p></li></ul></section></section></section></section></div>