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The occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in the absence of any structural heart disease is classified as "primary electrical disorder´. The paradigm of primary electrical disease is the long-QT syndrome. In 1992, Brugada and Brugada first reported a unique electrocardiographic syndrome in which ventricular fibrillation could occur without obvious structural heart disease. Their report drew attention to this condition as another form of primary electrical disorder and Brugada syndrome has subsequently been recognized in virtually all parts of the world. Brugada syndrome is electrocardiographically> characterized by ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads, either with or without right bundle branch block. Although its incidence and distribution have not been confirmed, it may be considerably more common in Southeast Asia. Sudden death is common, may be the first manifestation of disease during its clinical course, and is not effectively prevented by anti-arrhythmic drug therapy. This has led to the recommendation for the placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in symptomatic patients. The purpose of this paper is to describe the current understanding of Brugada syndrome. (Korean Circulation J 2002; 32 (6):461-466)
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