Performance of electrophysiologic study in an asymptomatic patient with type 2 intermittent Brugada syndrome: To do or not to do

BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited channelopathy, which is associated with sudden cardiac death due to rapid polymorphic VT or VF. There is no definite consensus regarding the management of asymptomatic patients. Some experts advocate close follow-up; others propose the programmed stimulation for risk stratification. We aimed to evaluate the benefit of complete atrial and ventricular stimulation in patients with BrS and palpitation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of a family history of sudden cardiac death (SCD) at age less than 45 years. He complained of self-terminated episodes of palpitation with no history of syncope. Baseline ECG showed incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB) and saddle-back-like ST deviation in V1. Flecainide challenge test (FCT) revealed Brugada pattern. Complete EPS was done for evaluation of VT/VF inducibility and probable concomitant supraventricular arrhythmias. Programmed atrial stimulation showed inducible typical slow-fast AVNRT with AH jump 75 msec. Successful slow pathway ablation was done. There was no inducible ventricular arrhythmia. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with drug-induced BrS, positive family history of SCD and also episodes of palpitation, benefit from complete EPS. However, ICD implementation is not recommended in asymptomatic patients with drug-induced BrS and negative EPS for ventricular stimulation.