Atrial electrical abnormality in patients with Brugada syndrome assessed by signal-averaged electrocardiography

Indian Heart J. 2017 Nov-Dec;69(6):714-719. doi: 10.1016/j.ihj.2017.05.008. Epub 2017 May 23.

Abstract

Background: Ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation are well-known arrhythmias in patients with Brugada syndrome. This study evaluated the characteristics of the atrial arrhythmogenic substrate using the signal-averaged electrogram (SAECG) in patients with Brugada syndrome.

Methods: SAECGs were performed during normal sinus rhythm in 23 normal volunteers (control group), 21 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF; PAF group), and 21 with Brugada syndrome (Brugada group).

Results: The filtered P wave duration (fPd) in the control, Brugada, and PAF groups was 113.9±12.9ms, 125.3±15.0ms, and 137.1±16.3ms, respectively. The fPd in the PAF group was significantly longer compared to that in the control and Brugada groups (p<0.05). The fPd in the Brugada group was significantly longer than that in the control group (p<0.05) and significantly shorter than that in the PAF group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Patients with Brugada syndrome had abnormal P waves on the SAECG. The abnormal P waves on the SAECG in Brugada syndrome patients may have intermediate characteristics between control and PAF patients.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Brugada syndrome; Filtered P wave duration; Signal-averaged electrocardiography.

MeSH terms

  • Brugada Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Brugada Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Electrocardiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology*
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Heart Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies