title: Implications of left bundle branch block in patient treatment.
abstract: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) causes an abnormal pattern of cardiac activation and affects regional myocardial function. Although recognition of LBBB on the surface electrocardiogram is straightforward, dissecting its effect on patient treatment and outcome can be more challenging. The altered pattern of cardiac activation in LBBB causes electrical and mechanical ventricular dyssynchrony, influences ischemia detection on the surface electrocardiogram, and affects stress testing and imaging modalities dependent on wall motion and thickening. Restoration of synchrony by biventricular pacing can improve symptoms and longevity in carefully selected patients. The diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications of LBBB across this spectrum are discussed in this review.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: Vineet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venkataraman
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aljaroudi
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Osorio
authors.forename: Jaekyeong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Ami E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Iskandrian
authors.forename: Fadi G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Hage
mesh_terms: D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D013318:Stroke Volume