Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Latent Brugada Syndrome in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Below 45 Years of Age.

This study aims to describe prevalence and clinical significance of latent Brugada syndrome (BrS) in a young population with atrial fibrillation (AF). Between September 2015 and November 2017, among 111 AF patients below 45 years of age, those without pre-existing pathologies and/or known risk factors were selected for the study. Based on baseline 12-lead-24-h Holter electrocardiogram (ECG), previous class 1C antiarrhythmic drug therapy, or ajmaline testing, patients were stratified as latent type 1 BrS or not. Within the 78 enrolled patients, 13 (16.7%; group 1) revealed a type 1 BrS ECG pattern, while 65 (83.3%; group 2) did not. Mean age was 37 ± 8 vs. 35 ± 7 ( = 0.42), and males were 7 (54%) vs. 54 (83%) ( = 0.02) in the two groups, respectively. Family history of BrS was significantly more common within group 1 patients (2, 15% vs. 0; = 0.03), and 4 (31%) patients experienced syncope in group 1 vs. 5 (8%) in group 2 ( = 0.02). After a mean follow-up of 42 ± 18 months from the index AF event, more than 80% of the patients, in both study groups, were in sinus rhythm. In young patients with AF without pre-existing pathologies and/or known risk factors, latent BrS should be suspected. Syncope and a family history of BrS emerge as easily identifiable factors related to BrS. Long-term sinus rhythm maintenance appears satisfactory, either in the presence or not of BrS.