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Sudden cardiac death without structural heart disease: Update on the long QT and brugada syndromes

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Abstract

The long QT syndrome (LQTS) and the Brugada syndrome (BrS) are the most common genetic causes of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in young patients with normal cardiac morphology. To date, more than 250 different mutations in seven genes have been identified as causing LQTS, whereas the only gene identified to be linked to BrS is SCN5A. In both syndromes, genespecific mutations have been shown to be associated with specific phenotypic expressions. Risk stratification in LQTS and BrS is based mainly upon a constellation of electrocardiographic findings and a history of prior symptoms. In patients identified as high risk for arrhythmic mortality, the implantable cardioverter defibrillator is the most effective treatment and has been shown to provide near-complete protection during long-term follow-up.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Heart Research Follow-up Program, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 653, 14642, Rochester, NY, USA

    Ilan Goldenberg MD

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  1. Ilan Goldenberg MD
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  2. Arthur J. Moss MD
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  3. Wojciech Zareba MD, PhD
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Goldenberg, I., Moss, A.J. & Zareba, W. Sudden cardiac death without structural heart disease: Update on the long QT and brugada syndromes. Curr Cardiol Rep 7, 349–356 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-005-0088-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-005-0088-1

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