Bifascicular block is characterized by right bundle branch block with left anterior fascicular block, or right bundle branch block with left posterior fascicular block on electrocardiography. Complete heart block could be the cause of syncope that is otherwise unexplained if bifascicular block is seen on electrocardiography.[1] It is estimated that less than 50% of patients with bifascicular block have high-degree atrioventricular block, although the exact incidence is unknown.[2]
| Bifascicular block | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Bifascicular block on an electrocardiogram. | |
| Specialty | Cardiology  |
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) suggests using electrophysiology studies to look into it (EPS). When pharmacologic stress or incremental atrial pacing induces high-degree atrioventricular block, a permanent pacemaker (PPM) is recommended. If EPS is negative, long-term rhythm monitoring with an implantable loop recorder (ILR) is advised.[3]
Most commonly, it refers to a combination of right bundle branch block (RBBB) and either left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) or left posterior fascicular block (LPFB), with the former being more common.[4]
Signs and symptoms
editPatients who suffer from bifascicular block are more likely to experience syncope and unexpected death.[5]
Diagnosis
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Treatment
editIn those with bifascicular block and no symptoms, little with respect to treatment is needed. In those with syncope, a pacemaker is recommended.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Shabbir, Muhammad Asim; Shaukat, Muhammad Hamza Saad; Ehtesham, Moiz; Murawski, Shannon; Singh, Sukhraj; Alimohammad, Rizwan (2022). "Bifascicular block in unexplained syncope is underrecognized and under-evaluated: A single-center audit of ESC guidelines adherence". PLOS ONE. 17 (2). PLOS: e0263727. Bibcode:2022PLoSO..1763727S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263727. PMC 8884493. PMID 35226666.
- ^ M, Brignole; C, Menozzi; A, Moya; R, Garcia-Civera; L, Mont; M, Alvarez; F, Errazquin; J, Beiras; N, Bottoni; P, Donateo (2001). "Mechanism of syncope in patients with bundle branch block and negative electrophysiological test". Circulation. 104 (17): 2045–2050. doi:10.1161/hc4201.097837. ISSN 1524-4539. PMID 11673344. S2CID 8442192. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ M, Brignole; A, Moya; FJ, de Lange; JC, Deharo; PM, Elliott; A, Fanciulli; A, Fedorowski; R, Furlan; RA, Kenny; A, Martín; V, Probst; MJ, Reed; CP, Rice; R, Sutton; A, Ungar; JG, van Dijk (August 28, 2018). "2018 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope". European Heart Journal. 39 (21). Eur Heart J: 1883–1948. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehy037. hdl:2262/89469. ISSN 1522-9645. PMID 29562304.
- ^ "Lesson VI — ECG Conduction Abnormalities". Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-07.
- ^ Ohara, Kuniji; Yamada, Harumoto; Jochheim, David; Mehilli, Julinda; Chandrashekhar, Y.; Narula, Jagat; Lopes, Renato D.; Fanaroff, Alexander C.; Mack, Michael J.; Svensson, Lars G.; Nietlispach, Fabian; Bertel, Osmund (October 1, 1983). "Electrophysiologic evaluation of syncope in patients with bifascicular block". American Heart Journal. 106 (4). Mosby: 693–697. doi:10.1016/0002-8703(83)90089-3. ISSN 0002-8703. PMID 6613815. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- ^ Epstein, Andrew E.; DiMarco, John P.; Ellenbogen, Kenneth A.; Estes, N.A. Mark; Freedman, Roger A.; Gettes, Leonard S.; Gillinov, A. Marc; Gregoratos, Gabriel; Hammill, Stephen C.; Hayes, David L.; Hlatky, Mark A. (2008-05-27). "ACC/AHA/HRS 2008 Guidelines for Device-Based Therapy of Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities". Circulation. 117 (21): e350-408. doi:10.1161/circualtionaha.108.189742. ISSN 0009-7322. PMID 18483207.
Further reading
edit- Steinberg, Jonathan S.; Pokushalov, Evgeny; Zeidan-Shwiri, Tawfiq; Crystal, Eugene; Nakamura, Kohki; Naito, Shigeto; Ávila, Pablo; Arenal, Ángel; Shah, Shivang; Jain, Sandeep; Donnellan, Eoin; Tchou, Patrick (August 1, 1973). "Bifascicular block: A clinical and electrophysiologic study". American Heart Journal. 86 (2). Mosby: 173–181. doi:10.1016/0002-8703(73)90241-X. ISSN 0002-8703. PMID 4719938. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
- Kiehl, Erich L.; Cantillon, Daniel J.; Heidecker, Bettina; Jr, Leslie T. Cooper; Singh, Gagan D.; Rogers, Jason H.; Wilson, Ryan E.; Ziada, Khaled M.; John, Roy M.; Jr, Thomas K. Varghese (January 1, 2017). "Bradyarrhythmias—Conduction System Abnormalities". Arrhythmia Essentials. Elsevier. pp. 28–86. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39968-5.00002-0. ISBN 9780323399685. Retrieved December 30, 2023.