[Clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of masquerading bifascicular block].
BACKGROUND
Masquerading bundle branch block is a right bundle branch block with a left anterior hemiblock which appears similar to a left bundle branch block in the frontal plane leads.


METHODS
We have followed 22 patients with such a pattern in the electrocardiogram for 3 years.


RESULTS
Thirteen patients (59%) developed high degree atrioventricular block. During this period, there were 4 deaths, 3 from heart failure and 1 due to sepsis.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that progression to high degree atrioventricular block is quite common in the presence of this kind of branch block. It is frequently associated to advanced heart failure, so the prognosis is usually poor.
Gómez Barrado
J J
JJ
Unidad de Cardiología, Complejo Hospitalario Llerena-Zafra, Badajoz.
Turégano Albarrán
S
S
García Rubira
J C
JC
Hidalgo Urbano
R
R
Pavón García
M
M
Berjillos Cordón
M
M
Cruz Fernández
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis
Características clínicas y electrocardiográficas del bloqueo bifascicular disfrazado.