What is the treatment of Brugada syndrome?

Brugada syndrome treatments include preventive measures such as avoiding aggravating medications and reducing fever. When necessary, treatment may also include a medical device called an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

What medications cause Brugada syndrome?

However, recently, many other pharmacological agents not related to class I antiarrhythmic agents have been reported to induce Brugada ECG pattern including tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), fluoxetine, lithium, trifluoperazine, antihistamines, and cocaine.

Why does Brugada have quinidine?

Low-dose quinidine is well tolerated in the long term, with <10% of patients interrupting it for side effects. Low-dose quinidine reduces the recurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with Brugada syndrome who survived an aborted cardiac arrest.

How does quinidine work in Brugada?

For example, quinidine, which blocks the calcium-independent transient outward potassium current (Ito), has been shown to normalize the ECG pattern in patients with Brugada syndrome. However, quinidine also blocks sodium (Na) currents, which could have contrary effects.

Is Brugada treatable?

Currently, there is no cure for Brugada syndrome. But there are ways to protect people from the dangerous consequences of the disease. An implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can help prevent sudden death linked to Brugada syndrome.

What are the symptoms of Brugada?

Symptoms of Brugada syndrome can include:

• Ventricular tachyarrhythmia (a fast, irregular heart rhythm that begins in the lower chambers of the heart)
• Fainting (syncope)
• Heart palpitations (can feel like a fluttering or a flip-flopping in the chest)

Can you live a long life with Brugada syndrome?

It can do, although many people with Brugada syndrome can lead an entirely normal life.

Are you born with Brugada syndrome?

Brugada syndrome is an unusual genetic disorder of the heart’s electrical system. Although people are born with it, they usually do not know they have it until they reach their 30s or 40s. The only symptoms of Brugada syndrome are passing out (called syncope), or heart palpitations, or sudden cardiac death.

Can quinidine be taken long term?

Quinidine is used for long-term treatment or prevention of heart rate problems. It’s a short-term drug treatment for malaria. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.