Unmasking of Brugada syndrome by an antiarrhythmic drug in a patient with septic shock.

Abstract

Asymptomatic Brugada syndrome patients often display concealed Brugada-type electrocardiogram patterns that result in under-diagnosis of this syndrome. These patients include individuals of both genders and a wide range of ages. They are as likely as non-Brugada patients to have normal longevity or to suffer from a critical illness. Here we report a case of septic shock in which Brugada-type electrocardiogram patterns were induced by pilsicainide administration for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. This case report suggests that some drugs used in the treatment of septic shock can unmask the Brugada-type electrocardiogram pattern and induce lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

• Authors: Katsuyuki Terajima, Takesi Yamamoto, Hidetaka Onodera, Shinhiro Takeda, Keiji Tanaka, Atsuhiro Sakamoto
• Journal: Anesthesia and analgesia (Anesth Analg) Vol. 102 Issue 1 Pg. 233-6 (Jan 2006) ISSN: 1526-7598 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16368835 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents

Topics

• Aged, 80 and over
• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Bundle-Branch Block (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Electrocardiography (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Shock, Septic (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Syndrome
• Tachycardia, Ventricular (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology)