Epinephrine Administered for Anaphylaxis Unmasking a Type 1 Brugada Pattern on Electrocardiogram. J Emerg Med 2019 Apr;56(4):444-447
Date
02/14/2019Pubmed ID
30755346DOI
10.1016/j.jemermed.2018.12.045Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85061190813 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Brugada pattern on electrocardiography (ECG) can manifest as type 1 (coved pattern) and type 2 (saddleback pattern). Brugada syndrome represents an ECG with Brugada pattern in a patient with symptoms or clinical factors, including syncope, cardiac arrest, ventricular dysrhythmias, and family history. Brugada syndrome is caused by a genetic channelopathy, but the Brugada pattern may be drug-induced. Epinephrine-induced Brugada pattern has not been reported previously.
CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old man developed anaphylaxis secondary to a bee sting, had a transient loss of consciousness, and self-administered intramuscular epinephrine. He subsequently presented to the emergency department and was found to have a type 1 Brugada pattern on ECG that resolved during observation. A historic ECG was reviewed that demonstrated a baseline type 2 Brugada pattern. His anaphylaxis was managed with steroids and antihistamines. He was observed without subsequent dysrhythmic events on telemetry or any further symptoms. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: The differential diagnosis for syncope includes dysrhythmia, such as Brugada syndrome. Among other possible drugs, epinephrine may induce a type 1 Brugada pattern. Patients with Brugada pattern on ECG should be referred immediately to electrophysiology for consideration of implantation of a cardioverter-defibrillator device, given the association of Brugada pattern with sudden cardiac arrest and ventricular dysrhythmias.
Author List
Bui PV, Haas NL, Herrman NWC, Macias M, Hoch V, Schaeffer W, Wallace CAuthor
William J. Schaeffer DO Assistant Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnaphylaxisBee Venoms
Brugada Syndrome
Electrocardiography
Epinephrine
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
