[Bundle branch reentry VT : Diagnosis, mapping, and ablation]

Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol. 2017 Jun;28(2):193-198. doi: 10.1007/s00399-017-0502-6. Epub 2017 May 8.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Macroreentry in the His-Purkinje system can result in sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) termed bundle branch reentry VT. Bundle branch reentry is usually associated with His-Purkinje disease and depressed left ventricular function. In the case of typical bundle branch reentry, the right bundle is activated in the anterograde direction and ventricular depolarization begins at the distal end of the right bundle on the ventricular septum generating a typical left bundle branch block QRS morphology. However, atypical surface ECGs can also be found in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and involvement of the right ventricle complicating the diagnosis of bundle branch reentry VT. It is important to diagnose bundle branch reentry VT because patients with bundle branch reentry VT may suffer from a high rate of serial implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) interventions based on VT recurrences due to immediate reinitiation of the arrhythmia. Ablation of the right bundle branch easily cures bundle branch reentry VT and can prevent frequent ICD interventions. After ablation of bundle branch reentry VT, mortality remains high due to the severe left ventricular dysfunction in many patients, and the patients are candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D).

Keywords: Cardiac resynchronization therapy; Catheter ablation; His-Purkinje system; Left bundle branch block; Ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bundle of His / physiopathology*
  • Bundle of His / surgery*
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / methods*
  • Isoproterenol / administration & dosage
  • Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / diagnosis*
  • Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / physiopathology
  • Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / surgery*

Substances

  • Isoproterenol