I caught most of a television interview this morning with Dr. Ramon Brugada. He was answering questions about Brugada Syndrome and implantable defibrillators. ICDs are the treatment of choice, but there are places in the world where they are simply too expensive an option. So research is continuing to find a more affordable treatment. He said administering quinidine is being considered as an alternate to having an ICD implanted. Unfortunately it currently has a 20% no-effect rate which is way too high. Dr. Brugada said he would not replace the ICD with quinidine in most circumstances.

At the end of the interview, the moderator asked Dr. Brugada what advice he offers the average person regarding Brugada Syndrome, and Dr. Brugada said that if a young healthy person dies in your family and the cause of death is not apparent, the family should see their doctor to investigate whether or not they might have Brugada Syndrome, but otherwise, this isn't the kind of thing that one should worry needlessly about.

I like Dr. Brugada and his reassuring approach to healthcare management for this condition. I also defer to his experience and knowledge on the topic. Perhaps concerns that I expressed in an earlier post may be unwarranted. Still, I know that when I hear of someone with unexplained spells of blacking out, or an episode of SIDS in the family, I always suggest that an ECG be reviewed to rule out Brugada Syndrome. But that's just me.