How can Brugada syndrome be prevented?

General: Because Brugada syndrome is an inherited condition, there is currently no known way to prevent the disorder. Avoiding drugs that cause or exacerbate Brugada syndrome may help relieve or prevent symptoms. In addition, careful monitoring of calcium and potassium blood levels may offset exacerbations in symptoms.

Relatives and coworkers of people with Brugada syndrome should be trained to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of cardiac arrest.

Genetic testing and counseling: Individuals who have Brugada syndrome may meet with a genetic counselor to discuss the risks of having children with the disease. Individuals with a family history of Brugada syndrome, but who have not been diagnosed with the disorder themselves, may meet with a genetic counselor to determine whether they carry the defective SCN5A gene. People who have the defective SCN5A gene may undergo genetic counseling before they conceive a child. Genetic counselors can explain the options and the associated risks of various tests, including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), amniocentesis, and chorionic villus sampling (CVS).

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) may be used with in vitro (artificial) fertilization. In PGD, embryos are tested for the defective SCN5A gene, and only the embryos that are not affected may be selected for implantation. Because Brugada syndrome can be detected in a fetus, parents may choose whether to continue the pregnancy. Genetic counselors may assist parents with these difficult decisions.

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