Bundle branch block

Bundle branch block
Conduction system of the heart 1. SA node. 2. AV node. 3. Bundle of His. 4. Left bundle branch 10. Right bundle branch
SpecialtyCardiology
SymptomsNone[1]
TypesLBBB, RBBB[2][3]
CausesLBBB: Coronary artery disease[1]
RBBB: Normal variation, heart attack, pulmonary embolism[1]
Diagnostic methodElectrocardiogram (ECG)[1]
Differential diagnosisVentricular tachycardia, a run of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), Brugada syndrome, left anterior fascicular block, left posterior fascicular block, and trifascicular block.[4][2][3]
TreatmentNo specific measures[4]

A bundle branch block is a defect in one of the bundle branches of the electrical conduction system of the heart.[1] It may result in a partial or complete inability for an electrical signal to travel through that branch.[4] It generally does not result in symptoms.[1]

There are two main types right bundle branch block (RBBB) and left bundle branch block (LBBB).[2][3] A RBBB may be a normal variation, occur as a result of a prior heart attack, or from a pulmonary embolism.[1][4] And LBBB may indicate coronary artery disease.[1]

Diagnosis is by electrocardiogram (ECG) with a QRS complex of greater than 120 ms.[2][3] Other rhythms that may appear similarly include ventricular tachycardia, a run of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), Brugada syndrome, left anterior fascicular block, left posterior fascicular block, and trifascicular block.[4][2][3] No specific treatment is required.[4]

Sign and symptoms

It generally does not result in symptoms.[1]

Mechanism

When a bundle branch or fascicle becomes injured (by underlying heart disease, myocardial infarction, or cardiac surgery), it may cease to conduct electrical impulses appropriately. This results in altered pathways for ventricular depolarization. Since the electrical impulse can no longer use the preferred pathway across the bundle branch, it may move instead through muscle fibers in a way that both slows the electrical movement and changes the directional propagation of the impulses. As a result, there is a loss of ventricular synchrony, ventricular depolarization is prolonged, and there may be a corresponding drop in cardiac output. When heart failure is present, a specialized pacemaker may be used to resynchronize the ventricles. In theory a pacemaker like this will shorten the QRS interval, thus bringing the timing of contraction of the left and right ventricles closer together and slightly increasing the ejection fraction.

Anatomy and physiology

Main article: Electrical conduction system of the heart

The heart's electrical activity begins in the sinoatrial node (the heart's natural pacemaker), which is situated on the upper right atrium. The impulse travels next through the left and right atria and summates at the atrioventricular node. From the AV node the electrical impulse travels down the bundle of His and divides into the right and left bundle branches. The right bundle branch contains one fascicle. The left bundle branch subdivides into two fascicles: the left anterior fascicle and the left posterior fascicle. Other sources divide the left bundle branch into three fascicles: the left anterior, the left posterior, and the left septal fascicle. The thicker left posterior fascicle bifurcates, with one fascicle being in the septal aspect. Ultimately, the fascicles divide into millions of Purkinje fibres, which in turn interdigitate with individual cardiac myocytes, allowing for rapid, coordinated, and synchronous physiologic depolarization of the ventricles.

Diagnosis

A bundle branch block can be diagnosed when the duration of the QRS complex on the ECG exceeds 120 ms. A right bundle branch block typically causes prolongation of the last part of the QRS complex and may shift the heart's electrical axis slightly to the right. The ECG will show a terminal R wave in lead V1 and a slurred S wave in lead I. Left bundle branch block widens the entire QRS, and in most cases shifts the heart's electrical axis to the left. The ECG will show a QS or rS complex in lead V1 and a monophasic R wave in lead I. Another normal finding with bundle branch block is appropriate T wave discordance. In other words, the T wave will be deflected opposite the terminal deflection of the QRS complex. Bundle branch block, especially left bundle branch block, can lead to cardiac dyssynchrony. The simultaneous occurrence of left and right bundle branch block leads to total AV block.

Types

Image showing the ECG characteristics of a right bundle branch block and a left bundle branch block. In both cases, the late portion of the widened QRS complex arises from an anomalously conducted depolarization impulse. The direction of this delayed depolarization vector differs based on the structure that is blocked; the impulse travels anterior toward the right ventricle in RBBB and lateral toward the left ventricle in LBBB.

Depending on the anatomical location of the defect which leads to a bundle branch block, the blocks are further classified into:

The left bundle branch block can be further sub classified into:

Other classifications of bundle branch blocks are;

A simple way to quickly differentiate between the two types is to note the deflection of the QRS complex in the V1 lead. A (V1) QRS segment deflected DOWN, its LEFT, a deflection UP indicates RIGHT (RBBB). of course, in both types the QRS is long (>.12 seconds).

Treatment

Some people with bundle branch blocks are born with this condition. Many others acquire it as a consequence of heart disease. People with bundle branch blocks may still be quite active, and may have nothing more remarkable than an abnormal appearance to their ECG. However, when bundle blocks are complex and diffuse in the bundle systems, or are associated with additional and significant ventricular muscle damage, they may be a sign of serious underlying heart disease. In more severe cases, a pacemaker may be required to restore an optimal electrical supply to the heart muscle.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Bundle Branch Block - Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders". Merck Manuals Consumer Version. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Harkness, WT; Hicks, M (January 2020). "Right Bundle Branch Block". PMID 29939649. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Scherbak, D; Hicks, GJ (January 2020). "Left Bundle Branch Block". PMID 29489192. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bundle Branch Block and Fascicular Block - Cardiovascular Disorders". Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
Classification
External resources
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