Etiology and Left Ventricular Functions in Left Bundle Branch Block- A Prospective Observational Study.

PURPOSE OF STUDY Left bundle branch (LBBB) is common ECG finding. Common causes of LBBB are coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Purpose of the study was to find out the etiology and left ventricular function in patients coming to a territory care hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS All consecutive patients coming to our hospital as indoor or outdoor patients with ECG suggestive of LBBB were studied. The detail history and examination was done. Echocardiography was done in all patients. RESULTS 132 patients with LBBB were studied. Mean age was 61.65±13.02 yrs. 70 were male (53.03%) and 62 were female (44.97%). 40 patients presented with dyspnea ((30.3%) and 34 with chest pain ((24.24%). 23 patients were asymptomatic (17.4%). 63 were hypertensive (47.7%) and 6 were diabetic (4.5%). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was present in 42 patients (31.8%), with 33 having diastolic and 9 systolic dysfunction. 33 patients had DCM (25%) and 31 patients had evidence of myocardial infarction (23.48%). 20 patients had normal echocardiography (15.15%). 75 patients had systolic dysfunction (56.8%). CONCLUSIONS Commonest presentation in patients wih LBBB was dyspnea followed by chest pain. Majority had hypertension. LVH was the commonest echocardiographic finding followed by global hypokinesia and regional wall motion abnormality. More than 50% patients had left ventricular systolic dysfunction.