Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Brugada syndrome, a cardiac channelopathy, manifests with ventricular arrhythmia. Diagnosis relies on a type 1 Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern, while type 2 and type 3 patterns may necessitate electrophysiologic testing to uncover an underlying type 1 Brugada pattern. Differentiation between these patterns is important, as type 1 patterns pose a significantly greater risk of arrhythmia relative to types 2 and 3 counterparts.

Case Report: A 14-year-old male with autism presented after a syncopal episode following a lurasidone dosage increase. His ECG revealed a type 2 Brugada pattern. He was monitored
overnight in the pediatric intensive care unit, where he remained asymptomatic. After being discharged with a Holter monitor, a quaternary hospital’s procainamide challenge test weeks later contradicted an official diagnosis of Brugada syndrome, as dictated by elucidation of a type 1 Brugada pattern. After reverting to the initial lurasidone dose, a follow-up ECG after two months showed no Brugada pattern.

Conclusion: In syncope cases, an ECG is crucial for identifying arrhythmogenic causes, including Brugada syndrome. This case highlights an ECG suggestive of Brugada syndrome with negative pharmacological tests and resolution post-discontinuation of the offending agent. Emergency physicians should be vigilant for Brugada and long QT syndromes in patients on antipsychotic medications.