ACQUIRED BUNDLE BRANCH BLOCK IN THE NAVAL AVIATOR POPULATION,
Abstract
Twenty-eight naval aviators (median age 40 years) whose electrocardiograms changed from a normal pattern to bundle branch block were studied in order to assess the attendant risk. Twenty-two of the men had right bundle branch block (RBBB) and six had left bundle branch block (LBBB). In 25 men the abnormality was noted on a routine ECG at the time of annual physical examination. Follow-up information was available for all members of the group and represented 100 patient-years of observation. Selective coronary angiography was done in seven men and coronary artery disease was noted in one patient with LBBB. Six men had normal coronary arteries. One patient, age 44, died eight months after his ECG changed to RBBB. Extensive coronary artery disease was present at autopsy. A total of three men in the bundle branch block group had definite evidence of coronary heart disease. In two men RBBB appeared after chest trauma. The prevalence of coronary heart disease was higher in the bundle branch block group than in a cohort of 649 naval aviators of similar age. In 23 of the men the etiology of the bundle branch block was not determined. It is concluded that acquired bundle branch block is frequently, but not invariably, associated with a good prognosis in the young male patient. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0688118
Entities
People
- Charles A. Sanders
- David H. Jackson
- J. Warren Harthorne
- Raphael F. Smith
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Institute