Clinical outcome
The follow-up period after ICD implantation in the IVF group with J point elevations in the 3rd ICS, the IVF group without, and the BrS group was 118 ± 80 months, 109 ± 61 months, and 105 ± 70 months, respectively. Two patients in BrS group were treated with bepridil. None of patients with IVF received antiarrhythmic drugs.
During a follow up of 110 ± 69 months, the recurrence of VF was observed in 5 of 14 IVF patients with J point elevation in the 3rd ICS (36%), 2 of 21 IVF patients without J point elevation in the 3rd ICS (10%), and 6 of 15 BrS patients (40%). The frequency of VF recurrences was higher in IVF patients with J point elevation in the 3rd ICS and Brugada syndrome than IVF patients without J point elevation in the 3rd ICS (P<0.05 for both). Electrical storm was observed in one of IVF patient (7%) with J point elevation in the 3rd ICS, none of IVF patient without J point elevation in the 3rd ICS, and one of BrS patient (7%). None of the patients died during the follow-up.