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European Heart Journal 2001 22(12):1032-1041; doi:10.1053/euhj.2000.2424
Copyright © 2001 by the European Society of Cardiology.
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Localized right ventricular morphological abnormalities detected by electron-beam computed tomography represent arrhythmogenic substrates in patients with the Brugada syndrome

M Takagi, N Aiharaf1, S Kuribayashi, A Taguchi, W Shimizu, T Kurita, K Suyama, S Kamakura, S Hamada and M Takamiya

Division of Cardiology and Radiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan

revised August 22, 2000; accepted August 23, 2000

Abstract

Aims This study was designed to determine, using electron-beam CT, whether there are morphological abnormalities in patients with the Brugada syndrome and to elucidate the relationship between those abnormalities and arrhythmogenesis.

Methods and Results Twenty-six consecutive patients with the Brugada syndrome and 23 age- and gender-matched control subjects (controls) were evaluated for morphological abnormalities using electron beam CT. Electron beam CT demonstrated morphological abnormalities of the right ventricle in 21 (81%) of 26 patients, but in only two (9%) of 23 controls. The sites of morphological abnormalities were the right ventricular outflow tract area in 17 patients and the inferior wall of the right ventricle in four patients. Of the seven patients with monoform premature ventricular contractions recorded only in the acute phase, four of the five patients with premature ventricular contractions from the right ventricular outflow tract area had morphological abnormalities in the right ventricular outflow tract area, and the other two patients with premature ventricular contractions from the inferior wall of the right ventricle had morphological abnormalities in the inferior wall of the right ventricle.

Conclusion The sites of morphological abnormalities detected by electron beam CT in patients with the Brugada syndrome were related to the origins of premature ventricular contractions recorded only in the acute phase, which may trigger ventricular fibrillation. These morphological abnormalities may be related to arrhythmogenic substrates in patients with the Brugada syndrome.

Key Words: Ventricular fibrillation, computed tomography, electrocardiography, Brugada syndrome

f1 Correspondence: Dr Naohiko Aihara, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka 5658565, Japan.

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