Brugada Syndrome
A "silent" disease
Knowing it to treat it
An "electrical" pathology, genetically determined, that affects structurally healthy hearts. It remains silent without showing signs until an arrhythmia suddenly occurs.
Correct information is the first step toward safety.
"Responsible for 4-12% of all cases of sudden cardiac death".
The roots of Italian excellence
Described by the Brugada brothers in 1992, the syndrome boasts pioneering studies in Italy. Already in the 1980s, cardiologists Nava, Martini, and Thiene outlined its characteristics in the Giornale Italiano di Cardiologia.
Known in Asia as Lai Tai or Bangungutit represents a crucial clinical challenge: it affects the heart's ion channels even in the presence of a structurally healthy muscle.
The syndrome shows a marked prevalence in males, with a ratio of 8 to 1 compared to women. Symptoms most frequently manifest in the young-adult age group, typically between 30 and 40 years.
1-30
cases per 10,000
>20%
of deaths in healthy hearts
Causes and genetic transmission
An "electrical disease" caused by minimal alterations in a small area of the heart.
Dominant Inheritance
50% probability of transmission.
Only one parent with the anomaly is enough to transmit the predisposition to the children.
Gene Anomaly
In 40% of cases, the responsible gene is identified. The most frequent is SCN5A, which regulates sodium channels.
In the remaining 60%, research is still trying to identify the responsible genes.
Prevention, not panic.
Having the gene does not mean manifesting the disease. Many will never have
arrhythmic events. After diagnosis, a risk assessment is necessary.
When the heart sends signals
About 70% of patients are asymptomatic. Symptoms usually appear between ages 30 and 40, typically at rest or during sleep.
- Arrhythmic Syncope: A sudden faint without nausea or sweating.
- Palpitations: Intense heartbeat felt at rest.
- Sudden death: Although rare, it represents the first (and last) symptom in 5% of cases.
Peculiar characteristics
Symptoms tend to occur at rest, during night hours, or after heavy meals, rather than during physical exertion. This distinctive feature is a key element that guides the cardiologist toward a correct diagnosis.
Practical Advice
Fever Management
High fever can act as a "switch" for the syndrome, unmasking the electrocardiographic pattern or favoring the onset of arrhythmias. It is essential to promptly treat any temperature rise with common antipyretics (such as paracetamol) and consult a cardiologist if palpitations are felt during a feverish state.
How it is diagnosed: The "Type 1 Pattern"
1
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Anomalies in the right ventricle are sought by placing electrodes in specific spots.
2
The Patterns (Type 1, 2, 3)
Only Type 1 provides a certain diagnosis. Type 2 and 3 only raise clinical suspicion.
3
Provocative Tests
Use of Ajmaline or Flecainide in a hospital setting to "unmask" the disease if it is latent.
Individual Risk Assessment
The diagnosis should not generate panic. The task of Dr. Grossi is to define your specific profile for maximum safety.
PROFILE A
Low Risk
Asymptomatic patients with a pattern unmasked only after pharmacological testing. They require only periodic follow-up.
PROFILE B
Intermediate/High Risk
Spontaneous pattern, family history, or syncope. In these cases, an Electrophysiological Study (EPS) is evaluated.. *
*: The risk is highest for patients who have survived cardiac arrest, representing the most vulnerable subgroup with an estimated recurrence rate of8% per year. In these cases, protecting the heart through targeted therapies is the absolute priority.
Modern medicine protects your heart
Identifying the risk is the first step to living in total safety. Have you received a diagnosis or do you have cases in your family?
Do you want to learn more about the history, epidemiology, and genetic details?