Early repolarization syndrome: the latest channelopathy

Traditionally the electrocardiographic early repolarization pattern has been considered benign. The last decade, however, has raised awareness of a subset of patients with this pattern who are at risk for sudden cardiac death. With advances in our understanding this subset has emerged as a new channelopathy. Distinguishing characteristics which differentiate the malignant variety (now termed early repolarization syndrome, ERS) from benign early repolarization (which is fairly common in the general population) are now better defined. This free full text review summarizes the latest evidence, provides some illustrative tracings and discusses an algorithm for evaluation.