[A survey of Brugada-type electrocardiogram recorded from high right precordial spaces in healthy Chinese].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and the significance of the Brugada-type electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded from higher intercostal space in healthy Chinese.

METHODS: The population of the present study consisted of 1005 subjects receiving a health examination. All subjects underwent history inquiry, physical examination and chest X-ray survey. ECGs were taken from the 4th and the 2nd intercostal spaces and examined for Brugada-type ECG according to the diagnostic criteria recommended by European Society of Cardiology.

RESULTS: Four patients with cardiovascular disorders were excluded and a total of 1001 healthy subjects [age 17 - 75 years, mean (28.3 +/- 14.8) years, 877 males and 124 females] were included in the study. Five males of the 1001 subjects (0.50%) had Brugada-type 2 pattern on routine 12-lead ECGs. Forty-seven males of all the subjects (4.70%) had Brugada-type ECGs recorded from the 2nd intercostal space and Brugada-type 2 and type 3 patterns were found in 40 and 7 respectively. All these males had no unaccountable syncope, presyncope or a family history of sudden death.

CONCLUSIONS: It should be careful to diagnose of Brugada syndrome according to Brugada-type 2 or type 3 ECGs recorded from either the 4th or higher intercostal spaces when typical symptoms are absent.