Impact of Left Bundle Branch Block on Heart Function
Author Information
Author(s): Quintana Miguel, Saha Samir, Govind Satish, Brodin Lars Åke, Delfuria Francesca, Bertomeu Vicente
Primary Institution: Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
Hypothesis
How does left bundle branch block affect myocardial coordination and left ventricular systolic function in patients with and without cardiomyopathy?
Conclusion
Left bundle branch block severely disrupts myocardial coordination, particularly in patients with cardiomyopathies, and this disruption correlates significantly with left ventricular systolic function.
Supporting Evidence
- Severe alterations in myocardial coordination were observed in subjects with left bundle branch block compared to controls.
- Patients with dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy showed even worse derangements in myocardial coordination.
- Good correlation was found between myocardial coordination variables and left ventricular systolic function.
Takeaway
When the heart's electrical signals are blocked, it can make it harder for the heart to pump blood, especially in people with heart disease.
Methodology
Tissue Doppler echocardiography was used to assess myocardial coordination and left ventricular systolic function in 86 individuals, including patients with isolated left bundle branch block, dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and healthy controls.
Limitations
The study did not include patients with cardiomyopathies without left bundle branch block, limiting the assessment of myocardial coordination in that group.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 21 with isolated LBBB, 26 with DCMP + LBBB, 19 with ICMP + LBBB, and 20 healthy controls, with a mix of genders.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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