Brugada syndrome as the cause of syncope in a 49-year-old man

We report the case of a 49-year-old man in whom a diagnosis of Brugada syndrome was made after he presented to the emergency department for evaluation of a syncopal episode. The diagnosis was made by ECG changes, after the characteristic findings of peculiar downsloping ST-segment elevation in leads V and V and QRS morphology resembling a right bundle branch block were identified. Emergency physician recognition of this syndrome and its ECG findings is essential, because without treatment the incidence of sudden cardiac death in these patients is high. [Jones R, Gage A. Brugada syndrome as the cause of syncope in a 49-year-old man. Ann Emerg Med. August 2000;36:156-159.]