Brugada syndrome and anesthetic management.

BRUGADA SYNDROME displays characteristic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes consisting of ST elevation in the anterior chest leads (V1-V3) and incomplete right bundlebranch block. It often presents with syncope or sudden death. As Brugada syndrome is being increasingly recognized, more patients with this syndrome will present for ICD implantation and other noncardiac surgery. The potential pharmacologic and physiologic changes that accompany anesthesia increase the risk of these patients developing a significant arrhythmia or cardiac dysfunction. The authors present a newly diagnosed case, the subsequent anesthetic management and complications, and a review of the current literature.