Role of electrophysiological study in patients with syncope and bundle branch block

Background: The finding of bundle branch block (BBB) in patients with syncope suggests that paroxysmal atrioventricular block (AVB) or ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) may be the cause of syncope. Guidelines for cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy have been recommended to perform el...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Neshat Nazari, Ala Keykhavani, Sima Sayah, Mostafa Hekmat, Allahyar Golabchi, Mohammad Assadian Rad, Abolfath Alizadeh, Mona Heidarali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
Series:Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jmsjournal.net/article.asp?issn=1735-1995;year=2014;volume=19;issue=10;spage=961;epage=964;aulast=Nazari
Description
Summary:Background: The finding of bundle branch block (BBB) in patients with syncope suggests that paroxysmal atrioventricular block (AVB) or ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) may be the cause of syncope. Guidelines for cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy have been recommended to perform electrophysiological study (EPS) for confirming main cause of syncope. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the role of EPS in patients with syncope and BBB. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 133 patients (mean age 63 ± 13.8 years) with past history of syncope and BBB from April 2002 to December 2010 who referred to Arrhythmia clinic in two tertiary care centers. All patients underwent EPS on admission time. The frequency distributions of AVB and VT in patients were determined. Results: Left bundle branch block was diagnosed in 184 (82.1%) patients. 133 of them had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥45%) that in 91 (68.4%) of those, EPS finding was normal. In 41 (30.8%) patients AVB was reported. In 2 (1.5%) patients VT and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia were seen. Coronary artery disease was more common in patients with AVB and abnormal EPS finding (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Ventricular tachyarrhythmia was a rare electrophysiological finding in those with syncope, bifascicular block, and preserved LVEF. Considering cost-effect benefit, pacemaker or implantable loop recorder implantation is suggested; however, EPS may not be necessary to perform before permanent pacemaker implantation.
ISSN:1735-1995
1735-7136