RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prevalence of asymptomatic ST segment elevation in right precordial leads with right bundle branch block (Brugada-type ST shift) among the general Japanese population
JF Heart
JO Heart
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Cardiovascular Society
SP 161
OP 166
DO 10.1136/hrt.86.2.161
VO 86
IS 2
A1 M Furuhashi
A1 K Uno
A1 K Tsuchihashi
A1 D Nagahara
A1 M Hyakukoku
A1 T Ohtomo
A1 S Satoh
A1 T Nishimiya
A1 K Shimamoto
YR 2001
UL http://heart.bmj.com/content/86/2/161.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE To examine the modality and morbidity of asymptomatic ST segment elevation in leads V1 to V3 with right bundle branch block (Brugada-type ST shift).METHODS 8612 Japanese subjects (5987 men and 2625 women, mean age 49.2 years) who underwent a health check up in 1997 were investigated. Those with Brugada-type ST shift underwent the following further examinations over a two year period after the initial check up: ECG, echocardiogram, 24 hour Holter monitoring, treadmill exercise testing, signal averaged ECG, and slow kinetic sodium channel blocker loading test (cibenzoline, 1.4 mg/kg).RESULTS Asymptomatic Brugada-type ST shift was found in 12 of 8612 (0.14%) subjects. Eleven of these 12 subjects were followed up. Follow up ECG exhibited persistent Brugada-type ST shift in seven of 11 (63.6%) subjects. ST shift was transformed from a saddle back to a coved type in three subjects. None of the subjects had morphological abnormalities or abnormal tachyarrhythmias. Positive late potentials were found in seven of 11 (63.6%) subjects. Augmentation of ST shift was shown by both submaximal exercise and drug administration in one of the 11 subjects (9.1%).CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic subjects with Brugada-type ST shift were not unusual, at a rate of 0.14% in the general Japanese population. Almost all of the subjects had some abnormalities in non-invasive secondary examinations. Additional and prospective studies are needed to confirm the clinical significance and the prognosis of asymptomatic Brugada-type ST shift.