Brugada Syndrome Mnemonic [Easy to remember]

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Brugada Syndrome Mnemonic

Let’s talk Brugada Syndrome — the sneaky cardiac condition that can turn a normal-looking young adult into a code blue ⚡.

It’s one of those conditions that gives cardiologists palpitations and USMLE candidates nightmares. And if you’ve ever been on-call at 3 a.m. and tried to differentiate ST-elevation from a Brugada pattern on ECG, you know it feels like reading hieroglyphics during a caffeine crash.

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So to keep it simple (and exam-friendly), I use this high-yield mnemonic:

“BRUGADa” — because even life-threatening arrhythmias deserve stylish memory tricks.

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Brugada Syndrome Mnemonic = “BRUGADa”

Letter Feature Quick Clinical Note
B Bundle branch block (RBBB pattern) Specifically, incomplete or complete RBBB — check V1–V3! 🩺
R Right precordial ST elevation ST elevation in leads V1–V3 without ischemia — aka “coved-type” ST ↗
U Unexplained syncope Especially during sleep or at rest — ominous warning sign ⚠️
G Genetic disorder (SCN5A mutation) Sodium channel mutation = disrupted depolarization — autosomal dominant inheritance 🧬
A Asian males More common in Southeast Asian men — and often presents in the third decade 🧑🏽‍⚕️
D Drug-provoked ECG pattern Flecainide, procainamide, and other sodium channel blockers can unmask the pattern 💊
a Arrhythmia risk (VT/VF, sudden cardiac death) Sudden cardiac death — especially during sleep or rest. ICD = life-saving 💥

 

🏥 My Experience From the Wards of Quetta

One evening in our Cardiac Care Unit at Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Hospital, a young man came in after a sudden collapse while watching TV. He had no prior history, normal vitals, and clear labs — but his ECG showed that classic “coved” ST elevation in V1–V2 with RBBB-like pattern.

My senior whispered: “Looks like a Brugada.” We confirmed it with a flecainide challenge — and yes, SCN5A mutation was later detected.

It’s humbling how silent yet deadly this condition can be.

📘 Exam & Clinical Pearls

  • ECG pattern + syncope in a young adult = suspect Brugada
  • Remember: It’s not ischemia — the ST elevation is due to sodium channel dysfunction, not coronary artery disease.
  • Always screen family members once diagnosed — it’s a heritable arrhythmogenic condition.
  • ICD placement is the definitive treatment in high-risk individuals.

Happy learning, folks!

📚 Authored by:

Dr. Aurangzaib Qambrani
MBBS, PLAB, MRCP-UK
General Medicine, Gastroenterology & Cardiac Care Unit
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Hospital, Quetta






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Dr. Zaib is a young, ambitious physician who has a great passion for cardiology and is driven to make a positive impact in healthcare. In his free time, he enjoys immersing himself in reading, whipping up new culinary creations, and exploring the world. His main interests are artificial intelligence and its applications in improving patient care.




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