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 block diagnosis. The subjects were divided into subfroups based on electrocardiographic (EEG) findings to determine if any one subfroup was at higher risk for initial or follow-up morbidity of cardiobascular disease or follow-up mortality. At initial diagnosis and clinical evaluation, 94% of RBBB and 89% of LBBB subjects had no evidence of cardiobascular disease. In the RBBB group, 3 and 2% had cornary heart disease and hypertension, respectively; in LBBB subjects, 9 and 7% had cornary heart disease and hypertension, respectively. No one ECG subfroup in either the RBBB or LBBB group had a higher incidence of cardiobascular disease. Complete follow-up information was available in 94% of the RBBB subgroup subjects and 91% of 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 groups. Progressive electrical dysfunction in the form of complete heart block occurred in one subject each absence, and degree of associated cardiobascular disease. Furthermore, within the age limits of the present aeromedical implications of bundle block are discussed.