Cor Vasa 2009, 51(9):578-583 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2009.142

The importance of right bundle branch block in myocardial infarction

Alena Lorenzová*, Petr Widimský
Cardiocenter, Department of Cardiology, 3rd Medical School, Charles University and University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic

Bundle branch blocks in patients presenting with myocardial infarction have been shown to indicate an increased risk of both short- and long-term mortality after myocardial infarction. While left bundle branch block is considered to be an equivalent of ST-segment elevation in patients presenting with chest pain, right bundle branch block is thought not to interfere with ECG interpretation in myocardial infarction. The article summarizes evidence for right bundle branch block as a risk factor for a poorer outcome after myocardial infarction and discusses the interpretation of ECG changes in myocardial infarction patients with right bundle branch block.

Keywords: Myocardial infarction; ECG; Bundle branch block; Reperfusion; Risk factor

Published: September 1, 2009  Show citation

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Lorenzová A, Widimský P. The importance of right bundle branch block in myocardial infarction. Cor Vasa. 2009;51(9):578-583. doi: 10.33678/cor.2009.142.
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