Right bundle branch block | |
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An illustration of a right bundle branch block located in intraventricular septum | |
ECG characteristics of a typical RBBB showing wide QRS complexes with a terminal R wave in lead V1 and a prolonged S wave in lead V6. | |
Specialty | Cardiology |
Types | complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB) |
A right bundle branch block (RBBB) is a heart block in the right bundle branch of the electrical conduction system.[1]
During a right bundle branch block, the right ventricle is not directly activated by impulses traveling through the right bundle branch. However, the left bundle branch still normally activates the left ventricle. These impulses can then travel through the myocardium of the left ventricle to the right ventricle and depolarize the right ventricle this way. As conduction through the myocardium is slower than conduction through the bundle of His-Purkinje fibres, the QRS complex is seen to be widened. The QRS complex often shows an extra deflection that reflects the rapid depolarisation of the left ventricle, followed by the slower depolarisation of the right ventricle.