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Published on: January 28, 2020
Predictors of coronary artery disease in patients with left bundle branch block undergoing coronary angiography
Rajjit Abrol1, Jeffrey C Trost, Keith Nguyen
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Insights
Patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and coronary artery disease (CAD) face worse outcomes. Identifying CAD in LBBB patients is challenging, but older age, male sex, and certain conditions like diabetes may indicate its presence.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Left bundle branch block (LBBB) complicates coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis.
- LBBB presence in CAD patients is linked to poorer prognosis and higher cardiovascular mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify clinical and demographic factors aiding CAD detection in patients with LBBB.
- To improve diagnostic strategies for CAD in the presence of LBBB.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 336 consecutive patients with LBBB undergoing coronary angiography.
- Evaluation of clinical characteristics, demographics, and cardiac function.
Main Results:
- 54% of patients with LBBB had confirmed CAD.
- CAD was more prevalent in older, Caucasian males with a history of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and diabetes mellitus.
- Lower left ventricular ejection fraction (<0.50) was associated with CAD.
- Heart failure was less common in patients with CAD.
Conclusions:
- Specific clinical and demographic factors can help identify CAD in LBBB patients.
- Coronary angiography remains crucial for definitive CAD assessment in LBBB.
- Understanding these predictors can refine patient selection for invasive procedures.
Abstract:
Patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) have a worse prognosis than those with LBBB without CAD. In addition, subjects with CAD and concomitant LBBB have a higher cardiovascular mortality than those with a similar extent of CAD but without LBBB. Because the presence of LBBB makes the noninvasive identification of CAD problematic, patients with LBBB often are referred for coronary angiography to assess the presence and severity of CAD. To determine the clinical and demographic variables that might help identify those with CAD, we analyzed data from 336 consecutive patients with LBBB referred for coronary angiography. Of the 336, 54% had CAD. In conclusion, those with CAD were likely to be older, Caucasian, and men; they were more likely to have angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and diabetes mellitus; and they were more likely to have a left ventricular ejection fraction <0.50. In contrast, patients with heart failure were less likely to have CAD.
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