Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 15, 2026

Real-Time Cardiac Mapping with a Noninvasive Imageless Electrocardiographic Imaging System
Published on: April 11, 2025
Distinct Electrocardiographic Form of Idiopathic Ventricular Arrhythmia Originating From the Left Bundle Branch
Rajeev K Pathak1, Brian P Betensky1, Pasquale Santangeli1
1Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Idiopathic frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can originate from the left bundle branch. Radiofrequency ablation successfully treated these challenging arrhythmias without impacting heart conduction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Cardiac Anatomy
Background:
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) commonly originate from the ventricular outflow tracts.
- While some PVCs arise near the His-bundle, origins within the cardiac conduction system are poorly understood.
Observation:
- This study details two cases of idiopathic frequent PVCs mapped directly to the left bundle branch.
- Anatomical mapping identified the left bundle branch as the ectopic source.
Findings:
- Radiofrequency ablation at the left bundle branch successfully eliminated or suppressed the PVCs.
- The ablation procedure did not cause significant impairment of atrioventricular conduction.
Implications:
- This approach offers a potential management strategy for challenging PVCs originating from the cardiac conduction system.
- Understanding these specific PVC origins can improve ablation success rates and patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Most premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) arise from the right or left ventricular outflow tract. Some VPCs originate near the His-bundle region. However, there remains a paucity of information on PVCs originating directly from the cardiac conduction system. We describe 2 cases with idiopathic frequent PVCs that were mapped directly to the left bundle branch itself. We also provide an anatomic-based mapping and ablation approach for management of these uncommon and challenging arrhythmias. In both cases we were able to either eliminate or significantly suppress the ectopic source by applying radiofrequency at this location without causing any significant impairment of the atrioventricular conduction.
More Related Videos
12:45Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing
Published on: December 11, 2017
06:57Ablation of Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Using a Multipolar Catheter and 3-dimensional Mapping System for High-density Electro-anatomical Reconstruction
Published on: January 31, 2019
Related Concept Videos
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Electrocardiogram Fundamentals
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic tool for identifying cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, and myocardial ischemia.
Definition
An electrocardiogram (ECG) visualizes the heart's electrical activity by tracing the electrical movement associated with each heartbeat on a graph or monitor. As the heart beats, an electrical wave passes through it, correlating with the cardiac cycle events.
Parts of an ECG
An ECG utilizes electrodes on the skin...
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm