Syncope in patients with inherited arrhythmias

• Main Authors: Yukiko Nakano, Shimizu Wataru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2017-12-01
• Series: Journal of Arrhythmia
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1880427617301333

Syncope, a common symptom of cerebral ischemia often shows a multifactorial etiopathogenesis. Although inherited arrhythmias causing syncope is uncommon, such an occurrence could be a warning sign preceding cardiac arrest. Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a typical inherited arrhythmia causing syncope in children. Early diagnosis and treatment of LQTS using beta-blockers prevents recurrent syncope in LQTS. Brugada syndrome, another typical inherited arrhythmia causes syncope or sudden cardiac arrest in young individuals. Syncope as a symptom is useful for risk stratification of fatal arrhythmias and in selection of appropriate therapy. Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, another rare inherited arrhythmia causing recurrent syncope is associated with poor outcomes without medication. Early detection and therapeutic intervention improve prognosis; thus, correct diagnosis of syncope is imperative in cases of these inherited arrhythmias. We describe syncope associated with three typical inherited arrhythmias and discuss various diagnostic modalities. Keywords: Syncope, Inherited arrhythmia, Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia