American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Which is a clinical feature of Brugada syndrome?

1. Severe chest pain

2. Syncope

3. Persistent cough

4. Palpitations

The correct answer is: Syncope

Brugada syndrome is primarily characterized by a specific pattern of arrhythmias that can lead to syncope, or fainting. This clinical feature occurs due to the Brugada pattern seen on the electrocardiogram (ECG), which indicates a risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest. Patients with Brugada syndrome may experience syncope during sleep or in response to triggers such as fever or certain medications that exacerbate the underlying sodium channel dysfunction. The presence of syncope in these patients is notably critical as it may be the only warning sign of a potentially life-threatening cardiac event. While severe chest pain, persistent cough, and palpitations may occur in various cardiac conditions, they are not hallmark features of Brugada syndrome itself. Therefore, syncope stands out as the most relevant clinical manifestation directly associated with this particular syndrome, highlighting its importance in the diagnosis and management of affected individuals.