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. 2023 Jan 17;12(3):745.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12030745.

Left Ventricular "Longitudinal Rotation" and Conduction Abnormalities-A New Outlook on Dyssynchrony

Ibrahim Marai  1   2 , Rabea Haddad  1   2 , Nizar Andria  1   2 , Wadi Kinany  1   2 , Yevgeni Hazanov  1   2 , Bruce M Kleinberg  1   2 , Edo Birati  1   2 , Shemy Carasso  1   2
Affiliations

Left Ventricular "Longitudinal Rotation" and Conduction Abnormalities-A New Outlook on Dyssynchrony

Ibrahim Marai et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: The complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) results in ventricular dyssynchrony and a reduction in systolic and diastolic efficiency. We noticed a distinct clockwise rotation of the left ventricle (LV) in patients with CLBBB ("longitudinal rotation").

Aim: The aim of this study was to quantify the "longitudinal rotation" of the LV in patients with CLBBB in comparison to patients with normal conduction or complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB).

Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with normal QRS, CRBBB, or CLBBB were included. Stored raw data DICOM 2D apical-4 chambers view images cine clips were analyzed using EchoPac plugin version 203 (GE Vingmed Ultrasound AS, Horten, Norway). In EchoPac-Q-Analysis, 2D strain application was selected. Instead of apical view algorithms, the SAX-MV (short axis-mitral valve level) algorithm was selected for analysis. A closed loop endocardial contour was drawn to initiate the analysis. The "posterior" segment (representing the mitral valve) was excluded before finalizing the analysis. Longitudinal rotation direction, peak angle, and time-to-peak rotation were recorded.

Results: All patients with CLBBB (n = 21) had clockwise longitudinal rotation with mean four chamber peak rotation angle of -3.9 ± 2.4°. This rotation is significantly larger than in patients with normal QRS (-1.4 ± 3°, p = 0.005) and CRBBB (0.1 ± 2.2°, p = 0.00001). Clockwise rotation was found to be correlated to QRS duration in patients with the non-RBBB pattern. The angle of rotation was not associated with a lower ejection fraction or the presence of regional wall abnormalities.

Conclusions: Significant clockwise longitudinal rotation was found in CLBBB patients compared to normal QRS or CRBBB patients using speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Keywords: CLBBB; clockwise; longitudinal; rotation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Examples of longitudinal rotation direction and extent in the various patterns analyzed using circumferential rotation algorithm on longitudinal images. Note the “posterior” or annular segment (in pink color) was excluded from analysis. The dotted lines represent the average rotation curve. (A)—Normal QRS duration, no conduction delay. Note the minimal clockwise rotation. (B)—CLBBB pattern. Definite and extensive longitudinal clockwise rotation. (C)—CRBBB pattern. Definite and extensive longitudinal counterclockwise rotation. This rotation pattern was variable among patients with CRBBB.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of longitudinal rotation angle according to conduction pattern. Negative angles are for clockwise rotation, and positive angles are for counterclockwise rotation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Regression analysis of QRS duration (ms) and longitudinal rotation angle, excluding the CRBBB group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
ROC analysis for identification of CLBBB pattern according to rotation angle.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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