Number of electrocardiogram leads displaying the diagnostic coved-type pattern in Brugada syndrome: a diagnostic consensus criterion to be revised.
OBJECTIVE
According to the diagnostic consensus criteria, the electrocardiographic (ECG) diagnosis of Brugada syndrome requires coved-type > or =2 mm ST-segment elevation in >1 right precordial lead (RPL) V1-V3 in the presence or absence of a sodium-channel blocker. However, this consensus has not been evaluated. We aimed to assess the distribution of coved-type ST-segment elevation on RPLs in a large patient cohort to reevaluate the appropriateness of the diagnostic consensus criteria.


RESULTS
We included 186 individuals with spontaneous and/or drug-induced ECGs of coved-type > or =2 mm ST-segment elevation in at least one RPL. A total of 376 ECGs were analysed for the number, distribution and maximal J-point elevation of diagnostic RPLs. Among all ECGs, 27 (7%) showed a coved-type pattern in 3 RPLs, 205 (55%) in 2 RPLs, and 144 (38%) in only 1 RPL. Leads V1 and V2 were diagnostic in 99% of all ECGs with two diagnostic RPLs. Lead V3 alone was not diagnostic in any ECG. Maximal J-point elevation was significantly higher in lead V2 than V1. Sixty case subjects (32%) had only ECGs with one RPL displaying a coved-type ST-segment elevation. There was no significant difference in clinical presentation and outcome compared with the 126 Brugada patients with ECGs displaying >1 diagnostic RPL. Major arrhythmic events occurred with the same rate (8%) in both groups during a follow-up >5 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Lead V3 does not yield diagnostic information in Brugada syndrome. Individuals with ECGs displaying only one diagnostic RPL have a similar clinical profile and arrhythmic risk as Brugada patients with ECGs displaying >1 diagnostic RPL. Revision of the consensus criteria should be considered.
Richter
Sergio
S
Heart Rhythm Management Centre, Cardiovascular Centre, Free University of Brussels (UZ Brussel) VUB, Laarbeeklaan 101, Brussels 1090, Belgium.
Sarkozy
Andrea
A
Paparella
Gaetano
G
Henkens
Stefan
S
Boussy
Tim
T
Chierchia
Gian-Battista
GB
Brugada
Ramon
R
Brugada
Josep
J
Brugada
Pedro
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053840:Brugada Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D032921:Consensus; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods*; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult