Aims: The identification of patients with the Brugada type 1 ecg pattern (Br-type 1) at risk of sudden death (SD) dibated issue.
Methods: We made a cumulative analysis of 19 large studies including patients with Br type 1and previous aborted SD (aSD) (Group A). In addition we assessed the characteristics of patients with SD who had a familial Br-type 1 (Group B).
Results: Group A included 382 cases. 96% were males, 69% had nocturnal aSD and 40% had a drug-induced Br-type 1. Group B included 71 patients with SD belonging to 65 families. In 9 of them an ecg recorded before SD. In 3/9 a Br-type 1 was present.
Conclusions: 1) Data from retrospective studies are in contrast with those coming from prospective studies, particularly about the risk of drug-induced Br-type 1; 2) Patients with CA belonging to families with Br-type 1, frequently have not a Br- type 1; 3) In patients with CA classified as having Brugada syndrome on the basis of a retrospective evaluation, the Br-type 1 might be a concomitant defect and not the only cause.