Frequency of left bundle branch block in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Abstract EN

Background : chronic heart failure is an increasing condition with high mortality and morbidity.

Left bundle branch block (LBBB) has been identified as an independent predictor of risk of cardiac morbidity or mortality. Objective : To determine the frequency of LBBB in patients with systolic LV dysfunction. Setting : Al-Hussein Hospital echocardiographic clinic in Karbala city. Methods : one hundred sixty patients were divided into two groups : group A : constituted of 80 consecutive patients who had a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) <40% and Group B : constituted of 80 consecutive patients who had a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) >40%. Both groups were screened for LBBB using standard twelve-lead surface electrocardiogram. Results : there were two patients (2.5%) with LBBB in group B, while the number was 16 (20%) in group A.

P- value was <0.0005. Conclusion : left bundle branch block is more common in patients with systolic LV dysfunction. Electrocardiogram should be included in the diagnostic and evaluative process of these patients.