Related Experiment Videos
Strings containing left bundle branch conductive tissue in the left ventricle. Observations in man
Insights
Left ventricular strings, previously observed in heart chambers, may contain conductive tissue. This finding suggests a potential cause for left bundle branch block or hemiblock if these strings stretch or rupture.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pathology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Strings within heart chambers have been documented through autopsy and echocardiography.
- Previous echocardiographic findings prompted further investigation into the composition of these cardiac strings.
Abstract:
Several reports have demonstrated the presence of strings within the heart chambers e.g.: on the basis of autopsy materials (Goforth 1926, Knoblich et al. 1962, Hudson 1965, Gould 1968, Roberts 1969, Franck 1970, Olsen & Valentine 1972) or by echocardiography (Nishimura et al. 1981, Choo et al. 1982, Lindvall et al. 1982, Asmussen submitted for publication). Prompted by the echocardiographic observations by Asmussen (Asmussen submitted for publication) we tested the hypothesis that left ventricular strings may contain left bundle branch conductive tissue. During a six months' survey period at the Laboratory of Pediatric Pathology we found two such cases. It is suggested that left bundle branch block and/or hemiblock may be a consequence of this abnormality in the event of stretching or rupture of such strings.