Functional bundle branch block and orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia cycle length: do not bet on accessory pathway location

Abstract

Aims: To show 2 examples in which the analysis of the effect of bundle branch block on orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia cycle length was misleading.

Methods and results: We performed an electrophysiological study in two patients with orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia showing a transition from wide to narrow QRS during tachycardia. Our two cases of left bundle branch block during reciprocating tachycardia using infero-septal pathways show that ventricular to atrial conduction time prolongation may be larger than 30 ms and may be concealed by a shortening of atrial to ventricular conduction time. In the 2 cases, the atrial insertion of the accessory pathway could be successfully ablated from the right atria at the ostium of the coronary sinus.

Conclusions: The observation of the association between left bundle branch block and cycle length prolongation during reciprocating tachycardia may be associated with a successful ablation at the ostium of the coronary sinus.