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Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a genetic condition that results in abnormal electrical activity within the heart, increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death. Those affected may have episodes of passing out. Typically this occurs when a person is at rest.
It is often inherited from a person's parent with about a quarter of people having a family history. Some cases may be due to a new mutation or certain medications. The abnormal heart rhythms can be triggered by a fever or increased vagal tone. Diagnosis is typically by electrocardiogram (ECG), however, the abnormalities may not be consistently present.
Treatment may be with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Isoproterenol may be used in those who are acutely unstable. In those without symptoms the risk of death is much lower, and how to treat this group is unclear. Testing people's family members may be recommended.
Between 1 and 30 per 10,000 people are affected. Onset of symptoms is usually in adulthood. It is more common in people of Asian descent. Males are more commonly affected than females. It is named after the Spanish cardiologists Pedro and Josep Brugada who described the condition in 1992. Their brother Ramon Brugada described the underlying genetics in 1998.
Individuals with LGL syndrome do not carry an increased risk of sudden death. The only morbidity associated with the syndrome is the occurrence of paroxysmal episodes of tachycardia which may be of several types, including sinus tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or even ventricular tachycardia.
LGL syndrome is diagnosed on the basis of the surface EKG in a symptomatic individual with a PR interval less than or equal to 0.12 second (120 ms) with normal QRS complex configuration and duration. It can be distinguished from WPW syndrome because the delta waves seen in WPW syndrome are not seen in LGL syndrome. It is a clinical diagnosis that came about before the advent of electrophysiology studies. Be aware, however, that not all WPW EKG's have a delta wave; the absence of a delta wave does not conclusively rule out WPW.
Genetic testing for Brugada syndrome is clinically available and may help confirm a diagnosis, as well as differentiate between relatives who are at risk for the disease and those who are not. Some symptoms when pinpointing this disease include fainting, irregular heartbeats, and chaotic heartbeats. However, just detecting the irregular heartbeat may be a sign of another disease, so the doctor must detect another symptom as well.
No specific set of criteria has been developed for diagnosis of pacemaker syndrome. Most of the signs and symptoms of pacemaker syndrome are nonspecific, and many are prevalent in the elderly population at baseline. In the lab, pacemaker interrogation plays a crucial role in determining if the pacemaker mode had any contribution to symptoms.
Symptoms commonly documented in patients history, classified according to cause:
- Neurological - Dizziness, near syncope, and confusion.
- Heart failure - Dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and edema.
- Hypotension - Seizure, mental status change, diaphoresis, and signs of orthostatic hypotension and shock.
- Low cardiac output - Fatigue, weakness, dyspnea on exertion, lethargy, and lightheadedness.
- Hemodynamic - Pulsation in the neck and abdomen, choking sensation, jaw pain, right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain, chest colds, and headache.
- Heart rate related - Palpitations associated with arrhythmias
In particular, the examiner should look for the following in the physical examination, as these are frequent findings at the time of admission:
- Vital signs may reveal hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea, or low oxygen saturation.
- Pulse amplitude may vary, and blood pressure may fluctuate.
- Look for neck vein distension and cannon waves in the neck veins.
- Lungs may exhibit crackles.
- Cardiac examination may reveal regurgitant murmurs and variability of heart sounds.
- Liver may be pulsatile, and the RUQ may be tender to palpation. Ascites may be present in severe cases.
- The lower extremities may be edematous.
- Neurologic examination may reveal confusion, dizziness, or altered mental status.
Up to 80% of individuals with ARVD present have symptoms like syncope and dyspnea.The remainder frequently present with palpitations or other symptoms due to right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) tachycardia (a type of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia).
Symptoms are usually exercise-related. In populations where hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is screened out prior to involvement in competitive athletics, it is a common cause of sudden cardiac death.
The first clinical signs of ARVD are usually during adolescence. However, signs of ARVD have been demonstrated in infants.
All people with this disorder have at least one limb abnormality that affects bones in the wrist (carpal bones). Often, these wrist bone abnormalities can be detected only by X-ray. Affected individuals may have additional bone abnormalities that can include polydactyly, a hypoplastic thumb or a Triphalangeal thumb, partial or complete absence of bones in the forearm, an underdeveloped Humerus, and abnormalities that affect the Clavicle and Scapula. Bone abnormalities may affect each arm differently, and the left side can be affected more than the right side. In some cases, only one arm and/or hand is affected.
About 75 percent of individuals with Holt–Oram syndrome have heart problems. The most common problem is a defect in the muscular wall, or septum, that separates the right and left sides of the heart (atria). Atrial septal defects (ASD) are caused by a hole in the septum between the left and right upper chambers of the heart (atria), and ventricular septal defects (VSD) are caused by a hole in the septum between the left and right lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). Sometimes people with Holt–Oram syndrome have cardiac conduction disease, which is caused by abnormalities in the electrical system that coordinates contractions of the heart chambers. Cardiac conduction disease can lead to problems such as a slow heart rate (bradycardia) or a rapid and ineffective contraction of the heart muscles (fibrillation). Cardiac conduction disease can occur along with other heart defects (such as septal defects) or as the only heart problem in people with Holt–Oram syndrome.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is an inherited heart disease.
ARVD is caused by genetic defects of the parts of heart muscle (also called "myocardium" or "cardiac muscle") known as desmosomes, areas on the surface of heart muscle cells which link the cells together. The desmosomes are composed of several proteins, and many of those proteins can have harmful mutations.
The disease is a type of nonischemic cardiomyopathy that involves primarily the right ventricle. It is characterized by hypokinetic areas involving the free wall of the right ventricle, with fibrofatty replacement of the right ventricular myocardium, with associated arrhythmias originating in the right ventricle.
ARVD can be found in association with diffuse palmoplantar keratoderma, and woolly hair, in an autosomal recessive condition called Naxos disease, because this genetic abnormality can also affect the integrity of the superficial layers of the skin most exposed to pressure stress.
ARVC/D is an important cause of ventricular arrhythmias in children and young adults. It is seen predominantly in males, and 30–50% of cases have a familial distribution.
Familial atrial fibrillation is an autosomal dominant heart condition that causes disruptions in the heart's normal rhythm. This condition is characterized by uncoordinated electrical activity in the heart's upper chambers (the atria), which causes the heartbeat to become fast and irregular.
Clinically, it is often asymptomatic by itself and considered benign in nature.
Even though many types of sick sinus syndrome produce no symptoms, a person may present with one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Stokes-Adams attacks – fainting due to asystole or ventricular fibrillation
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Palpitations
- Chest pain or angina
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
Holt–Oram syndrome (also called Heart and Hand Syndrome, atrio-digital syndrome, atriodigital dysplasia, cardiac-limb syndrome, heart-hand syndrome type 1, HOS, ventriculo-radial syndrome) is an autosomal dominant disorder that affects bones in the arms and hands (the upper limbs) and may also cause heart problems. The syndrome includes an absent radial bone in the arms, an atrial septal defect, and a first degree heart block. Thalidomide syndrome can produce similar morphology to Holt–Oram syndrome, sufficient to be considered a phenocopy.
Pacemaker syndrome is a disease that represents the clinical consequences of suboptimal atrioventricular (AV) synchrony or AV dyssynchrony, regardless of the pacing mode, after pacemaker implantation.
It is an iatrogenic disease—an adverse effect resulting from medical treatment—that is often underdiagnosed. In general, the symptoms of the syndrome are a combination of decreased cardiac output, loss of atrial contribution to ventricular filling, loss of total peripheral resistance response, and nonphysiologic pressure waves.
Individuals with a low heart rate prior to pacemaker implantation are more at risk of developing pacemaker syndrome. Normally the first chamber of the heart (atrium) contracts as the second chamber (ventricle) is relaxed, allowing the ventricle to fill before it contracts and pumps blood out of the heart. When the timing between the two chambers goes out of synchronization, less blood is delivered on each beat. Patients who develop pacemaker syndrome may require adjustment of the pacemaker, or fitting of another lead to better coordinate the timing of atrial and ventricular contraction.
It occurs because the duration of the refractory period of the myocardium is proportional to the R-R interval of the preceding cycle. A short R-R interval is associated with a shorter duration of action potential and vice versa. A long R-R cycle will prolong the ensuing refractory period, and if a shorter cycle follows, the beat terminating the cycle is likely to be conducted aberrantly. Because the refractory period of the right bundle branch is longer than the left, the right bundle will still be in the refractory period when the supraventricular impulse reaches the His-Purkinje system, resulting in a complex with right bundle branch morphology.
Stokes-Adams attacks can be precipitated by this condition. These involve a temporary loss of consciousness resulting from marked slowing of the heart when the atrial impulse is no longer conducted to the ventricles. This should not be confused with the catastrophic loss of heartbeat seen with ventricular fibrillation or asystole.
Holiday heart syndrome is an irregular heartbeat pattern presented in individuals who are otherwise healthy. Coined in 1978 the term is defined as "abnormal heart rhythms sometimes following excessive alcohol consumption; usually temporary".
Holiday heart syndrome can be the result of stress, dehydration, and drinking alcohol. It is sometimes associated with "binge drinking" common during the holiday season. The condition can also occur when individuals consume only moderate amounts of alcohol.
Irregular heartbeats can be serious. If palpitations continue for longer than a few hours patients should seek medical attention. Some arrhythmias associated with HHS after binge drinking can lead to sudden death, which may explain some of the sudden death cases commonly reported in alcoholics. Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in holiday heart syndrome. Symptoms usually resolve themselves within 24 hours.
Holiday heart can also cause abnormal burning sensation whilst urinating and/or the feeling of passing blood similar to a kidney stone. This generally subsides in days or weeks.
If untreated, this abnormal heart rhythm can lead to dizziness, chest pain, a sensation of fluttering or pounding in the chest (palpitations), shortness of breath, or fainting (syncope). Atrial fibrillation also increases the risk of stroke. Complications of familial atrial fibrillation can occur at any age, although some people with this heart condition never experience any health problems associated with the disorder.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of sustained abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), affecting more than 3 million people in the United States. The risk of developing this irregular heart rhythm increases with age. The incidence of the familial form of atrial fibrillation is unknown; however, recent studies suggest that up to 30 percent of all people with atrial fibrillation may have a history of the condition in their family.
Sick sinus syndrome (SSS), also called sinus dysfunction, or sinoatrial node disease ("SND"), is a group of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) presumably caused by a malfunction of the sinus node, the heart's primary pacemaker. Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome is a variant of sick sinus syndrome in which the arrhythmia alternates between slow and fast heart rates. Tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome is often associated with ischemic heart disease and heart valve disease.
People with WPW are usually asymptomatic when not having a fast heart rate. However, individuals may experience palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, or infrequently syncope (fainting or near fainting) during episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. The telltale "delta wave" may sometimes be seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG).
Lev's disease (or Lenegre-Lev syndrome) is an acquired complete heart block due to idiopathic fibrosis and calcification of the electrical conduction system of the heart. Lev's disease is most commonly seen in the elderly, and is often described as senile degeneration of the conduction system.
One form has been associated with SCN5A.
Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome (WPW) is a disorder due to a specific type of problem with the electrical system of the heart which has resulted in symptoms. About 40% of people with the electrical problem never develop symptoms. Symptoms can include an abnormally fast heartbeat, palpitations, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or syncope. Rarely cardiac arrest may occur. The most common type of irregular heartbeat that occurs is known as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
The cause of WPW is typically unknown. A small number of cases are due to a mutation of the PRKAG2 gene which may be inherited from a person's parents in an autosomal dominant fashion. The underlying mechanism involves an accessory electrical conduction pathway between the atria and the ventricles. It is associated with other conditions such as Ebstein anomaly and hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Diagnosis is typically when an electrocardiogram (ECG) show a short PR interval and a delta wave. It is a type of pre-excitation syndromes.
WPW syndrome is treated with either medications or radiofrequency catheter ablation. It affects between 0.1 and 0.3% in the population. The risk of death in those without symptoms is about 0.5% per year in children and 0.1% per year in adults. In those without symptoms ongoing observation may be reasonable. In those with WPW complicated by atrial fibrillation, cardioversion or the medication procainamide may be used. The condition is named after Louis Wolff, John Parkinson, and Paul Dudley White who described the ECG findings in 1930.
Stokes-Adams attacks may be diagnosed from the history, with paleness prior to the attack and flushing after it particularly characteristic. The ECG will show asystole, an AV block, or ventricular fibrillation during the attacks.
The onset of FAC caused by aggregation of the V122I mutation and wild-type TTR, and senile systemic amyloidosis caused by the exclusive aggregation of wild-type TTR, typically occur after age 60. Greater than 40% of these patients present with carpal tunnel syndrome before developing ATTR-CM. Cardiac involvement is often identified with the presence of conduction system disease (sinus node or atrioventricular node dysfunction) and/or congestive heart failure, including shortness of breath, peripheral edema, syncope, exertional dyspnea, generalized fatigue, or heart block. Unfortunately, echocardiographic findings are indistinguishable from those seen in AL amyloidosis, and include thickened ventricular walls (concentric hypertrophy, both right and left) with a normal-to-small left ventricular cavity, increased myocardial echogenicity, normal or mildly reduced ejection fraction (often with evidence of diastolic dysfunction and severe impairment of contraction along the longitudinal axis), and bi-atrial dilation with impaired atrial contraction. Unlike the situation in AL amyloidosis, the ECG voltage is often normal, although low voltage may be seen (despite increased wall thickness on echocardiography). Marked axis deviation, bundle branch block, and AV block are common, as is atrial fibrillation.
Symptoms may occur at any time, but most often they accompany a change of body position. Pedunculated myxomas can have a "wrecking ball effect", as they lead to stasis and may eventually embolize themselves. Symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath with activity
- Platypnea – Difficulty breathing in the upright position with relief in the supine position
- Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea – Breathing difficulty when asleep
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Palpitations – Sensation of feeling your heart beat
- Chest pain or tightness
- Sudden Death (In which case the disease is an autopsy finding)
The symptoms and signs of left atrial myxomas often mimic mitral stenosis.
General symptoms may also be present, such as:
- Cough
- Pulmonary edema, as blood backs up into the pulmonary artery, after increased pressures in the left atrium and atrial dilation
- Hemoptysis
- Fever
- Cachexia – Involuntary weight loss
- General discomfort (malaise)
- Joint pain
- Blue discoloration of the skin, especially the fingers (Raynaud's phenomenon)
- Fingers that change color upon pressure or with cold or stress
- Clubbing – Curvature of nails accompanied with soft tissue enlargement of the fingers
- Swelling – any part of the body
- Presystolic heart murmur
These general symptoms may also mimic those of infective endocarditis.
Premature atrial contractions (PACs), also known as atrial premature complexes (APC) or atrial premature beats (APB), are a common cardiac dysrhythmia characterized by premature heartbeats originating in the atria. While the sinoatrial node typically regulates the heartbeat during normal sinus rhythm, PACs occur when another region of the atria depolarizes before the sinoatrial node and thus triggers a premature heartbeat. The exact cause of PACs is unclear; while several predisposing conditions exist, PACs commonly occur in healthy young and elderly people. Elderly people that get PACs usually don't need any further attention besides follow ups due to unclear evidence. PACs are often completely asymptomatic and may be noted only with Holter monitoring, but occasionally they can be perceived as a skipped beat or a jolt in the chest. In most cases, no treatment other than reassurance is needed for PACs, although medications such as beta blockers can reduce the frequency of symptomatic PACs.