Incidence and prognostic significance of right bundle branch block complicating acute myocardial infarction

Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull. 2002 Apr;28(1):26-35.

Abstract

The incidence and hospital courseofacute myocardial infarction wereobserved among randomly selected 560 patients. The mean age of the patients was 53 +/- 6.67 years with male-female ratio 2.6:1. The incidence of right bundle branch block (RBBB) was 15% (84 out of 560 patients). New RBBB, old RBBB and RBBB of indeterminate age were observed in 33 (39.25%), 23 (27.40%) and 28 (33.25%) cases respectively. RBBB was isolated in 50 (60%) cases and bi-fascicular in remaining 34 (40%) cases. The rate of use of thrombolytic was greater in RBBB group than non-RBBB group (52% vs 30.67%, P < 0.05). The complications were more frequently observed in patients with RBBB: in-hospital mortality, 27.40% vs 10.90% (P < 0.01); use of temporary pacemaker, 15% vs 9% (P < 0.05); and heart failure, 50% vs 35% (P < 0.05). In sub-group analysis, in-hospital mortality rate was higher among bi-fascicular group than isolated RBBB group (P < 0.05). Thus it appeared from the results that the incidence of RBBB is relatively common i.e. 15% over all (84 out of 560) and 5.90% new (33 out of 560) and despite greater use of thrombolytics, some specific in-hospital complications were significantly higher in patients with RBBB than without, RBBB.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bundle-Branch Block / complications*
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications*
  • Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy
  • Myocardial Infarction / mortality
  • Prognosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Thrombolytic Therapy