Publication
Title
Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias during ajmaline challenge in patients with Brugada syndrome: Incidence, clinical features, and prognosis
Author
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sustained ventricular arrhythmias (sVAs), such as polymorphic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, can complicate ajmaline challenge in patients with Brugada syndrome (BS). OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence of Life-threatening sVAs during ajmaline administration in a Large series of patients with BS. In addition, clinical characteristics as well as prognosis of these patients were evaluated. METHODS All consecutive patients with ajmaline-induced diagnosis of BS were eligible for this study. RESULTS A total of 503 patients were included. Nine (1.8%) patients (44% men; mean age 26 +/- 18 years) developed a life-threatening sVA during ajmaline challenge. Three patients (33%) were children, and 2 (22%) patients experienced sVAs refractory to the first external defibrillation. One patient underwent venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to restore sinus rhythm. Age at the time of ajmaline challenge was significantly lower in patients with sVAs compared with patients without sVAs (26 +/- 18 years vs 41 +/- 18 years; P = .01). Moreover, patients with sVAs presented more frequently with sinus node dysfunction compared with patients with normal response to ajmaline (22.2% vs 1.4%; P = .01). After a mean follow-up time of 29 +/- 8 months, none of the patients who had developed a sVA during ajmaline challenge died suddenly or developed further Life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS sVA during ajmaline challenge is not a rare event in BS occurring in 9 (1.8%) patients. Despite its challenging acute treatment, the occurrence of ajmaline-induced sVAs in patients with BS might not identify a category at higher risk for further arrhythmic events.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Heart rhythm
Publication
2013
ISSN
1547-5271
DOI
10.1016/J.HRTHM.2013.09.060
Volume/pages
10 :12 (2013) , p. 1869-1874
ISI
000327767600027
Pubmed ID
24055942
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 17.11.2015
Last edited 04.03.2024
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