His Bundle Electrogram in Bundle-Branch Block

Because a great majority of patients with chronic complete heart block have bilateral bundle-branch lesions, it becomes important to recognize earlier degrees of bilateral bundle-branch block. The H-V interval in the His bundle electrogram during unilateral bundle-branch block reflects the conduction primarily through the contralateral bundle branch, and thus the His bundle electrogram in bundle-branch block (BBB) provides information regarding the functional status of the contralateral bundle branch in addition to helping in the localization of defects elsewhere in the conduction system. His bundle electrograms were obtained in 20 patients with BBB and 13 patients without BBB. The following results were obtained from this study: (1) Prolonged P-R interval in the absence of BBB indicated delayed conduction through the A-V node. (2) Prolonged P-R interval in the presence of BBB indicated delayed conduction through the contralateral bundle branch or through the A-V node, or both. (3) Delayed conduction through the contralateral bundle branch in BBB occurred in the presence of a normal P-R interval and could only be detected by demonstrating a prolonged H-V time in the His recording. (4) In alternating BBB the His recording clearly demonstrated that the changing P-R interval was related to varying conduction through the bundle branches. (5) Finally, it has been demonstrated that the Wenckebach (Mobitz type I) type of decremental conduction can occur in the bundle branches or Purkinje system as well as in the A-V node. It is concluded that His bundle electrograms provide valuable information concerning the nature and management of conduction disturbances in patients with bundle-branch disease.