Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

INTRODUCTION: Brugada syndrome is an inherited heart rhythm disorder that can place individuals at risk for sudden death. People with Brugada syndrome may not be aware of their condition, and unfortunately, Brugada syndrome often presents with the sudden, tragic death of a family member. There are some tests that can inform physicians of whether a patient may have Brugada syndrome, but our knowledge of using these tests is rudimentary. Every test also places the patient at risk for adverse events and can be costly when performed unnecessarily. This project looks for the ideal candidate to receive the "procainamide test", in an effort to ensure the appropriate screening and identification of those individuals at the highest risk for sudden death. METHODS: We have collaborated with cardiologists across Canada to create a database of patients with inherited heart rhythm disorders. This database includes 263 patients who have received the procainamide test. We reviewed these patients, and recorded symptoms (ie. fainting or previous cardiac arrest) and test results, including the electrocardiogram (ECG) and signal-averaged ECG (SAECG). RESULTS: Out of 263 patients, 95 patients (36%) had a previous cardiac arrest, 87 (33%) had an abnormal ECG, and 87 (33%) had an abnormal SAECG. These three variables were all more common in patients with an abnormal procainamide test. By combining these three variables, we created a 6-point score that can be applied to any individual undergoing the procainamide test. Those with a score of 0 are very unlikely to require the test, whereas those with a score of 6 were almost certain to have a positive test. CONCLUSION: We created a novel 6-point score that can be easily applied to individuals at risk for Brugada syndrome. These results help us better understand Brugada syndrome, and may ultimately help reduce, if not prevent, sudden death in this population.