Flecainide and propafenone induced ST-segment elevation in patients with atrial fibrillation:: Clue to specificity of Brugada-type electrocardiographic changes

Potent sodium channel, blockade with type IC antiarrhythmics can provoke characteristic electrocardio-graphic changes consistent with Brugada's syndrome in unselected patients with atrial fibrillation. In 176 treated patients, the incidence of the characteristic abnormality is small (2.3%), and thus although no ventricular arrhythmia events were observed during follow-up, the long-term clinical significance in a larger patient cohort remains to be determined. These data provide insight into the specificity of the response to type I drug administration in patients suspected of having Brugada's syndrome. (C) 2004 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.