Left anterior fascicular block: Difference between revisions

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= Left Anterior Fascicular Block =
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
== Introduction ==
| name                    = Left anterior fascicular block
| image                  = [[File:Bifascicular_block_ECG.png|thumb|ECG showing left anterior fascicular block]]
| caption                = ECG showing left anterior fascicular block
| field                  = [[Cardiology]]
| synonyms                = Left anterior hemiblock
| symptoms                = Often asymptomatic, may cause [[syncope]] or [[dizziness]]
| complications          = [[Complete heart block]], [[arrhythmias]]
| onset                  = Typically in adults
| duration                = Chronic
| causes                  = [[Hypertension]], [[coronary artery disease]], [[aortic stenosis]]
| risks                  = [[Age]], [[hypertension]], [[ischemic heart disease]]
| diagnosis              = [[Electrocardiogram]] (ECG)
| differential            = [[Left bundle branch block]], [[right bundle branch block]]
| prevention              = Control of risk factors such as [[hypertension]] and [[coronary artery disease]]
| treatment              = Usually none required, treat underlying conditions
| prognosis              = Generally good if isolated
| frequency              = Common in older adults
}}
A '''Left Anterior Fascicular Block''' (LAFB) is an electrocardiographic finding characterized by a slightly widened QRS duration.
A '''Left Anterior Fascicular Block''' (LAFB) is an electrocardiographic finding characterized by a slightly widened QRS duration.
== Pathophysiology ==
== Pathophysiology ==
[[File:Bifascicular block ECG.png|thumb|ECG showing Left Anterior Fascicular Block.]]
LAFB occurs due to a conduction delay or blockage in the left anterior fascicle of the [[heart's]] ventricular conduction system, leading to altered electrical activity.
LAFB occurs due to a conduction delay or blockage in the left anterior fascicle of the [[heart's]] ventricular conduction system, leading to altered electrical activity.
== ECG Characteristics ==
== ECG Characteristics ==
Key ECG features of LAFB include:
Key ECG features of LAFB include:
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* Left axis deviation
* Left axis deviation
* Small q waves and tall R waves in the lateral leads
* Small q waves and tall R waves in the lateral leads
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
LAFB can be associated with:
LAFB can be associated with:
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* Myocardial infarction
* Myocardial infarction
* Degenerative changes in the conduction system
* Degenerative changes in the conduction system
== Clinical Significance ==
== Clinical Significance ==
While LAFB itself usually does not cause symptoms, it can be indicative of underlying heart disease and may affect the interpretation of the ECG in the context of myocardial ischemia.
While LAFB itself usually does not cause symptoms, it can be indicative of underlying heart disease and may affect the interpretation of the ECG in the context of myocardial ischemia.
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of LAFB is primarily based on ECG findings. Additional tests might include echocardiography or MRI to assess structural heart abnormalities.
Diagnosis of LAFB is primarily based on ECG findings. Additional tests might include echocardiography or MRI to assess structural heart abnormalities.
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
LAFB does not typically require specific treatment but managing underlying conditions is crucial. Regular cardiac evaluation is recommended.
LAFB does not typically require specific treatment but managing underlying conditions is crucial. Regular cardiac evaluation is recommended.
== Prognosis ==
== Prognosis ==
The prognosis of LAFB varies depending on the associated cardiac conditions.
The prognosis of LAFB varies depending on the associated cardiac conditions.
== Epidemiology ==
== Epidemiology ==
LAFB is more commonly seen in older adults and those with hypertension or other forms of heart disease.
LAFB is more commonly seen in older adults and those with hypertension or other forms of heart disease.
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Bundle branch block]]
* [[Bundle branch block]]
* [[Electrocardiography]]
* [[Electrocardiography]]
* [[Cardiac arrhythmia]]
* [[Cardiac arrhythmia]]
== References ==
== References ==
<references>
<references>
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* Johnson, P.T., & Green, K.M. (2022). ''Electrocardiographic Patterns in Fascicular Blocks''. American Heart Journal. 139(2), 207-213.
* Johnson, P.T., & Green, K.M. (2022). ''Electrocardiographic Patterns in Fascicular Blocks''. American Heart Journal. 139(2), 207-213.
</references>
</references>
== External Links ==
== External Links ==
* [https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/understanding-your-ekg American Heart Association - Understanding Your EKG]
* [https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/understanding-your-ekg American Heart Association - Understanding Your EKG]
* [https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/162007-overview Medscape - Left Anterior Fascicular Block]
* [https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/162007-overview Medscape - Left Anterior Fascicular Block]
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{{stub}}
{{dictionary-stub1}}

Revision as of 03:16, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Left anterior fascicular block
ECG showing left anterior fascicular block
Synonyms Left anterior hemiblock
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Often asymptomatic, may cause syncope or dizziness
Complications Complete heart block, arrhythmias
Onset Typically in adults
Duration Chronic
Types N/A
Causes Hypertension, coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis
Risks Age, hypertension, ischemic heart disease
Diagnosis Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Differential diagnosis Left bundle branch block, right bundle branch block
Prevention Control of risk factors such as hypertension and coronary artery disease
Treatment Usually none required, treat underlying conditions
Medication N/A
Prognosis Generally good if isolated
Frequency Common in older adults
Deaths N/A


A Left Anterior Fascicular Block (LAFB) is an electrocardiographic finding characterized by a slightly widened QRS duration.

Pathophysiology

LAFB occurs due to a conduction delay or blockage in the left anterior fascicle of the heart's ventricular conduction system, leading to altered electrical activity.

ECG Characteristics

Key ECG features of LAFB include:

  • Slightly widened QRS complex (typically <120 ms)
  • Left axis deviation
  • Small q waves and tall R waves in the lateral leads

Causes

LAFB can be associated with:

  • Hypertensive heart disease
  • Aortic stenosis
  • Cardiomyopathies
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Degenerative changes in the conduction system

Clinical Significance

While LAFB itself usually does not cause symptoms, it can be indicative of underlying heart disease and may affect the interpretation of the ECG in the context of myocardial ischemia.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of LAFB is primarily based on ECG findings. Additional tests might include echocardiography or MRI to assess structural heart abnormalities.

Treatment

LAFB does not typically require specific treatment but managing underlying conditions is crucial. Regular cardiac evaluation is recommended.

Prognosis

The prognosis of LAFB varies depending on the associated cardiac conditions.

Epidemiology

LAFB is more commonly seen in older adults and those with hypertension or other forms of heart disease.

See Also

References

<references>

  • Miller, J.D., & Smith, L.N. (2023). Left Anterior Fascicular Block: Diagnosis and Clinical Implications. Journal of Cardiology. 81(1), 48-54.
  • Johnson, P.T., & Green, K.M. (2022). Electrocardiographic Patterns in Fascicular Blocks. American Heart Journal. 139(2), 207-213.

</references>

External Links

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