Electrocardiographic criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy in left bundle-branch block

Br Heart J. 1978 Mar;40(3):320-4. doi: 10.1136/hrt.40.3.320.

Abstract

In order to determine whether the electrocardiographic criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy apply in the presence of left bundle-branch block we studied 79 cases of intermittent left bundle-branch block and compared the QRS voltage and axis before and after its onset. Cases of incomplete left bundle-branch block were excluded. There was a statistically significant correlation between pre- and post-left bundle-branch block values of R or S wave voltage in leads I, V1, V2, V5, and V6, the Sokolow index (R V5 or V6 + S V1), and the QRS axis. There was a statistically significant reduction in R wave voltage in leads I, V5, and V6, an increase in S wave voltage in V1 and V2, and leftward shift of QRS axis, but the Sokolow index remained unchanged, after the onset of left bundle-branch block. The Sokolow criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy apply satisfactorily even in the presence of left bundle-branch block, though specificity is low, but QRS axis is unhelpful.

MeSH terms

  • Bundle-Branch Block / complications*
  • Bundle-Branch Block / physiopathology
  • Cardiomegaly / complications
  • Cardiomegaly / diagnosis
  • Cardiomegaly / physiopathology*
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Humans