Ventricular fibrillation during anesthesia in association with J waves in the left precordial leads in a child with coarctation of the aorta

A 14-year-old boy with coarctation of the aorta who showed repeat ventricular fibrillation during anesthesia, and ultimately sudden cardiac death in school, is presented. Electrocardiography showed J waves in the left precordial leads, which became prominent after an episode of ventricular fibrillation. While some of the clinical features and electrophysiological findings were similar to those seen in Brugada syndrome, others were inconsistent. J waves in the left precordial leads should be recognized as a possible waveform change inducing ventricular fibrillation predominantly at rest. Key words: Anesthesia, Brugada syndrome, cardiac conduction disturbance, child, J wave, sudden cardiac death, ventricular fibrillation.