Prevention of ventricular fibrillation by pacing in a man with Brugada syndrome.

The unique ECG appearance of Brugada syndrome is caused by failure of the dome of the action potential to develop. It occurs when the outward currents (mainly Ito) overwhelm the inward currents (mainly Ica) at the end of phase 1 of the action potential. Because Ito becomes less prominent at a faster rate, increased heart rate is associated with decreased ST segment elevation on ECG and probably decreased incidence of ventricular arrhythmia. We present the first report on prevention of ventricular fibrillation in a man with Brugada syndrome by overdrive pacing from his dual chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator.