Atypical Surface ECG Complicating the Diagnosis of Bundle Branch Reentry Tachycardia

Typical left bundle branch block (LBBB) during ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a diagnostic criterion of bundle branch reentry tachycardia (BBRT) with activation of the right bundle in the anterograde direction.

Eleven patients (seven male, 60 ± 12 years) with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction 37 ± 16%) presenting with BBRT were successfully treated by ablation of the right bundle. Among them, five patients had atypical surface electrocardiograms (ECGs) differing from a typical LBBB during the VT. Three patients with severe enlargement and dysfunction of the left ventricle had broadened irregular QRS complexes with rR or RS configuration in lead V6 during the BBRT. Two patients with enlargement and/or hypokinesia of the right ventricle had entirely or almost entirely negative complexes (QS) in the chest leads (V1-V6) during the VT. Activation mapping in these two patients revealed that the exit site of the BBRT was in the anterior right ventricle generating a negative concordance in the precordial leads.

Atypical surface ECGs with broadened irregular QRS complexes or negative concordance in the precordial leads can complicate the correct diagnosis of BBRT in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and involvement of the right ventricle.