Right bundle branch block ventricular tachycardia in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy more commonly originates from the right ventricle: Criteria for identifying chamber of origin

Heart Rhythm. 2021 Feb;18(2):163-171. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.08.016. Epub 2020 Sep 1.

Abstract

Background: Right bundle branch block (RBBB) ventricular tachycardia (VT) morphology is a criterion for left ventricular (LV) involvement in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and chamber of origin of RBBB VT in patients with ARVC and VT.

Methods: We studied 110 consecutive patients with VT who met the diagnostic International Task Force criteria for ARVC and underwent VT mapping/ablation. Patients with ≥1 RBBB VT were identified. Right ventricular (RV) origin of the RBBB VT was determined based on standard mapping criteria and elimination with ablation.

Results: Nineteen patients (17%) had 26 RBBB VTs. Eleven of these 19 patients (58%) had 16 RBBB VTs from the RV, and 9 patients (47%) had 10 RBBB VTs originating from the LV, with 1 patient demonstrating both. RBBB VT from RV most commonly (13/16 RBBB VTs) had an early precordial QRS transition (V2 or V3), with superiorly and typically leftward directed frontal plane axis, consistent with exit from dilated RV adjacent to inferior LV septum, whereas all 10 VTs from LV had RBBB morphology with positive R waves to V5 or V6 and rightward axis in 6 VTs characteristic of basal lateral origin.

Conclusion: In patients with ARVC and VT presenting for VT ablation, RBBB VT occurs in 17% of cases, with most RBBB VTs (62%) originating from the RV and not indicative of LV origin. Precordial R-wave transition and frontal plane axis can be used to identify the anticipated chamber of origin of RBBB VT.

Keywords: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy; Catheter ablation; Right bundle branch block; Substrate mapping; Ventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / complications
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / diagnosis*
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia / surgery
  • Body Surface Potential Mapping / methods*
  • Bundle-Branch Block / diagnosis
  • Bundle-Branch Block / etiology*
  • Bundle-Branch Block / physiopathology
  • Bundle-Branch Block / surgery
  • Catheter Ablation / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Heart Ventricles / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ventricular Function, Right / physiology*
  • Young Adult