Bundle branch block is a complete or incomplete disruption in the electrical conduction system of the heart, involving the right and left bundle branches of the bundle of His which conduct the impulses to the respective ventricles.
The electrical impulses from the atrioventricular node reaches a group of fibers called the bundle of His which divides into the left bundle branch which transmits the impulses to the left ventricle and the right bundle branch which transmits the current to the right ventricle branch two bundle branches. A block in the electrical circuit can occur in the left or right bundle branch.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Bundle branch block may be asymptomatic and even healthy people may have a block in the right bundle branch which is not usually dangerous except when it is precipitated by heart damage resulting from a heart attack. Block in the left bundle branch is often more serious since it is usually a sign of coronary artery disease resulting from atherosclerosis or uncontrolled high blood pressure, especially in older people.
Electrocardiography (ECG) can diagnose the type of bundle branch block as each type of block produces a unique pattern that can be easily differentiated.
No treatment is needed for either the left bundle branch block or the right bundle branch block, unless there is a perceived risk of a complete heart block. A pacemaker is often implanted in people to initiate the heart rhythm in the event of a complete block which is dangerous.
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