Outcome after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in patients with Brugada syndrome: the Gulf Brugada syndrome registry

Background and ObjectiveAmong patients with Brugada syndrome (BS) and aborted cardiac arrest, syncope, or inducible ventricular fibrillation at electrophysiologic study (EPS), the only currently recommended therapy is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), but these are not without complications. We assessed the total number of shocks (appropriate and inappropriate) and complications related to ICD in patients with BS.Methods and ResultsTwenty-five patients implanted with ICD for BS in 6 Gulf centers between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2010, were reviewed. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator indication was based on aborted cardiac arrest (24%), syncope (56%), or in asymptomatic patients with positive EPS (20%). During a follow-up of 41.2 ± 17.6 months, 3 patients (all with prior cardiac arrest) had appropriate device therapy. Four patients developed complications; 3 of them had inappropriate shocks.ConclusionIn our cohort, appropriate device therapy was limited to cardiac arrest survivors, whereas none of those with syncope and/or positive EPS had arrhythmias. Overall complication rate was relatively high, including inappropriate ICD shocks.