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Published on: December 11, 2017
Profound independent effects of left bundle branch block and heart rate during supraventricular tachycardia
1Department of Medicine, Cardiology Division, Arrhythmia Service, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Cardiology-N2-Silver Zone, NY 10467, USA. jfisher@montefiore.org
Insights
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) significantly worsens hypotension during supraventricular tachycardia. This effect is rate-dependent, with blood pressure similar at slower rates, regardless of LBBB presence.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Hemodynamics
Background:
- Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is known to have adverse hemodynamic consequences.
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) can precipitate hemodynamic instability.
Observation:
- In patients with LBBB, profound hypotension was observed during SVT.
- This hypotension was not present at the same SVT rate in the absence of LBBB.
- At slower heart rates, blood pressure remained similar whether LBBB was present or not.
Findings:
- LBBB exacerbates the blood pressure drop during SVT.
- The hemodynamic impact of LBBB during SVT is rate-dependent.
Implications:
- Understanding this interaction is crucial for managing patients with LBBB and SVT.
- This highlights the importance of considering LBBB in the assessment of hypotension during tachyarrhythmias.
Abstract:
Left bundle branch block (LBBB) has negative hemodynamic effects. In the same patient, profound hypotension occurs during supraventricular tachycardia with LBBB but not at the same rate in the absence of LBBB. At slower rates, blood pressure is similar with and without LBBB.
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