Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology
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Brugada syndrome (BrS) is associated with increased risk for atrial fibrillation (AFib). However, the role of SCN5A mutations in the occurrence of AFib remains unclear. Cardiac sodium current reduction caused by SCN5A mutations may facilitate AFib by slowing intra-atrial conduction and inducing structural changes, but also prevent it by suppressing atrial ectopic activity. Here, we examined the relation between SCN5A mutations, atrial conduction velocity, atrial structural changes, and atrial ectopic activity in BrS. ⋯ In BrS, the presence of an SCN5A mutation is associated with intra-atrial conduction slowing and suppressed atrial ectopic activity. Intra-atrial conduction slowing may provide a plausible substrate for AFib maintenance, while reduced atrial ectopic activity may constitute inhibition of the trigger for AFib initiation.