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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Electromechanical coupling, uncoupling, and ventricular function in patients with bundle branch block: a
Miguel Quintana1, Samir Saha, Morteza Rohani
1Department of Clinical Physiology and Cardiology, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden. miguel.quintana@labmed.ki.se
Insights
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) causes impaired left ventricular (LV) function due to delayed electromechanical coupling. Tissue-Doppler echocardiography (TDE) can assess these cardiac function changes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is linked to reduced left ventricular (LV) function, increased morbidity, and mortality.
- Mechanisms underlying LBBB's impact on cardiac function remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of LBBB on LV function and coordination.
- To explore the utility of Tissue-Doppler echocardiography (TDE) in assessing cardiac function in LBBB.
Main Methods:
- Studied subjects with isolated LBBB, right bundle branch block (RBBB), and controls using 2D and TDE.
- Assessed inter- and intraventricular coordination via TDE velocity profiles.
- Evaluated LV function using 2D echocardiography, TDE-derived peak systolic velocities, and AV plane displacement.
Main Results:
- LBBB subjects exhibited longer electromechanical delays and isovolumic relaxation times.
- Compared to RBBB and controls, LBBB patients had shorter ejection times, lower peak systolic velocities, and reduced AV plane displacement.
- LBBB was associated with larger LV end-systolic volumes, lower LV ejection fraction, and increased atrial contribution to AV plane displacement.
Conclusions:
- Delayed electromechanical coupling in LBBB causes intra- and interventricular asynchrony, leading to depressed LV function.
- TDE can effectively assess electromechanical coupling and its effects on cardiac function in patients with bundle branch block (BBB).
Background:
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is associated with impaired left ventricular (LV) function and increased morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with structural heart diseases. The mechanisms are poorly understood.
Subjects And Methods:
Subjects with isolated LBBB (n=20), right bundle branch block (RBBB, n=20), and controls (C, n=20) were studied with standard two-dimensional (2D), and color-encoded tissue-Doppler echocardiography (TDE). Inter- and intraventricular systolic and diastolic coordination were assessed from the TDE velocity profiles. LV function was assessed by 2D echocardiography, by TDE-derived peak systolic velocities, and the atrioventricular (AV) plane displacement.
Results:
Subjects with LBBB had longer electromechanical delays and longer isovolumic relaxation times than did the C and RBBB groups (P <0.001). For the LBBB subjects compared with the RBBB and C groups, ejection times were shorter, peak systolic velocities and AV plane displacements were lower, they had larger LV end-systolic volumes and lower LV ejection fraction (all P <0.001), and the atrial contribution to A-V plane displacement was higher (P <0.01). There were no differences in diastolic or filling times among the groups.
Conclusions:
In patients with LBBB, delayed regional electromechanical coupling and uncoupling leads to generalized intra- and interventricular asynchrony, thereby explaining the depressed regional and global LV functions. Assessment of the electromechanical coupling and uncoupling processes and their consequences on cardiac function in patients with BBB and structural heart diseases may be possible using TDE.
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