A Clinical and Follow-up Study of Right and Left Bundle Branch Block
Abstract
The experience with Bundle branch block at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine was reviewed. The clinical and follow-up status was evaluated in 394 subjects with right bundle branch block (RBBB) and 125 subjects with left bundle branch block (LBBB). The majority of subjects were asymptomatic at the time of bundle branch branch block diagnosis. The subjects were divided into subgroups based on electrocardiographic (EGG) findings to determine if any one subgroup was at higher risk for initial or follow-up morbidity of cardiovascular disease or follow-up mortality. At initial diagnosis and clinical evaluation, 94% of RBBB and 89% of LBBB subjects had no evidence of cardiovascular disease. In RBBB group, 3 and 2% had coronary heart disease and hypertension, respectively; in LBBB subjects, 9 and 7% had coronary heart disease and hypertension, respectively. No one ECG subgroup in either the RBBB or LBBB group had a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. Complete follow-up information was available in 94% of the RBBB subjects and 91% of the LBBB subjects. The mean follow-up period was 10.8 + or - 4.8 4.7 years in the RBBB group and 8.8 + or - 4.8 in the LBBB group. In the follow-up period, new cases of coronary heart disease and hypertension occurred in 6% of the RBBB group and 5 and 8%, respectively, in the LBBB group. Fourteen (4%) RBBB and nine (8%) LBBB subjects died during the follow-up period. No differences for follow-up morbidity of cardiovascular disease or mortality were observed in contrasting the individual ECG subgroups. Progressive electrical dysfunction in the form of complete heart block occurred in one subject each in the RBBB and LBBB groups.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 03, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA010360
Entities
People
- John H. Triebwasser
- Michael Rotman
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine