Brugada-like electrocardiographic patterns induced by hyperkalemia

Medicina (Kaunas). 2013;49(3):148-53.

Abstract

Brugada syndrome was described in 1992 as a new clinical and electrocardiographic syndrome involving susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in patients with no obvious structural heart disease. Brugada syndrome is characterized by a hereditary anomaly in the sodium ion channel (mutation of the SCN5A gene) identified by a wide QRS associated with the ST-segment elevation and the T‑wave inversion in the right precordial leads. The Brugada-like electrocardiographic pattern can be caused by sodium channel-blocking drugs and electrolyte disorders. Hyperkalemia may produce multiple ECG abnormalities, including the ST-segment elevation and pseudomyocardial infarction with a resolution of these abnormalities after the correction of hyperkalemia. This article describes 8 cases of pseudoanteroseptal myocardial infarction in acute renal insufficiency with hyperkalemia. The ST-segment elevation related to hyperkalemia is resolved by the reduced serum potassium level. Clinicians should recognize that hyperkalemia is one of the etiologies of the Brugada-like electrocardiographic pattern.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / complications
  • Adult
  • Brugada Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Brugada Syndrome / economics
  • Brugada Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperkalemia / diagnosis*
  • Hyperkalemia / etiology
  • Hyperkalemia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications