Brugada Syndrome: 30 Years of Scientific Adventure

Thirty years ago, a distinct new clinical-electrocardiographic syndrome was described, now known as Brugada syndrome. Typical for this syndrome is EKG with ST elevation in the right precordial leads. The clinical presentation of the disease is highly variable: Patients may remain completely asymptomatic but may also develop episodes of syncope, atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome, conduction disturbances, asystole, and ventricular fibrillation. The disease is caused by mutations in the genes responsible for the action potential of the heart cells. The most frequently involved gene is the SCN5A which controls the structure and function of the cardiac sodium channel. Describing this new syndrome has had very positive implications in all fields of medicine.