Locoregional anesthesia in patients with Brugada syndrome. A retrospective database analysis.

Background: The use of local anesthetics (LA) in individuals with Brugada syndrome (BrS) remains a subject of debate due to the lack of large-scale studies confirming their potential risks. This study primarily aimed to evaluate the incidence of new malignant arrhythmias or defibrillation events in patients diagnosed with BrS during the perioperative period, following the administration of local anesthetics, and within 30 days postoperatively. The secondary objective was to analyze the occurrence of adverse effects during hospitalization, as well as 30-day readmission and mortality rates.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with BrS who underwent locoregional anesthesia between January 1, 1996, and September 30, 2020. Anesthetic records and electronic medical records were thoroughly reviewed for up to 30 days following each administration of local anesthetics.

Results: A total of 47 procedures involving patients with BrS who underwent locoregional anesthesia were analyzed. The patients were categorized into three groups: 27 in the peripheral nerve block (PNB) group, 13 in the epidural anesthesia group, and 9 in the spinal anesthesia group. One patient in the PNB group experienced intraoperative ventricular fibrillation following the administration of ajmaline. No other adverse events were observed.

Conclusion: In this retrospective study, our findings do not indicate an increased arrhythmogenic risk or a higher incidence of adverse events associated with the administration of local anesthetics in patients with BrS. However, the available data are insufficient to confirm the safety of local anesthetic use in this population. Enhanced vigilance is recommended when administering local anesthetics to individuals with BrS. Prospective studies are necessary to further evaluate and establish the safety profile of local anesthetics in this patient group.