Arrhythmic storm responsive to quinidine in a patient with Brugada syndrome and vasovagal syncope

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2005 Aug;28(8):870-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2005.00183.x.

Abstract

A 37-year-old man with Brugada syndrome (BrS) and arrhythmic storm is described. One month after implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator he presented with recurrent appropriate shocks for spontaneous ventricular fibrillation (VF). Because of this arrhythmic storm, quinidine therapy was initiated with total suppression of all spontaneous arrhythmias. He had remained free of arrhythmias for 22 months since quinidine initiation. Two episodes of VF occurred after the patient stopped taking the medication. The patient resumed quinidine and has been free of VF for the last 3 months. This response to quinidine in a patient with symptomatic BrS supports its role in the prophylaxis of arrhythmic events in BrS.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / prevention & control
  • Defibrillators, Implantable
  • Electric Countershock
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Quinidine / therapeutic use*
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / complications
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / physiopathology
  • Syncope, Vasovagal / therapy*
  • Syndrome
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / complications
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Fibrillation / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Quinidine