Bifid T waves induced by isoprenaline in a patient with Brugada syndrome.

Abstract

A 41 year old man with incomplete right bundle branch block and persistent coved-type ST elevation in the right precordial leads during sinus rhythm had an episode of syncope while driving. He had never had syncope before and there was no family history of sudden cardiac death. Ventricular fibrillation was induced during electrophysiological study (EPS) by double extrastimuli applied to the right ventricle. Disopyramide was effective in preventing ventricular fibrillation during EPS. beta Adrenoceptor stimulation manifested bifid T waves and reduced ST segment elevation in right precordial leads. Simultaneously recorded monophasic action potential (MAP) duration at 90% repolarisation did not change in the right ventricular outflow tract, while it shortened in the left ventricular septum. These findings suggest that right precordial bifid T waves might result from relatively early repolarisation of the left ventricles. Moreover the gradient of action potential duration might explain the mechanism of ST segment abnormalities in a patient with Brugada syndrome.