Survival in patients with intraventricular conduction defects

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Abstract
All 42,000 ECG taken from 1969 through 1971 were reviewed; 325 patients (0.77%) had left bundle branch block (LBBB) or right bundle branch block (RBBB) with axis deviation (AD). In Dec. 1974, 90% were contacted or found to be dead. The 5-yr survival rate (actuarial technique) (mean .+-. SE) was 45.5 .+-. 2.9%. It was significantly worse than that of age- and sex-matched controls. In most patients the cause of death could not be determined. Survival of 164 LBBB patients (40.7 .+-. 4.1%) at 5 yr was not significantly worse than that of 161 RBBB and AD patients (49.5 .+-. 4.2%). Those with syncope did no worse in terms of survival than did those without. The 5 yr survival in coronary artery disease patients was 33.7 .+-. 4.4%; in those with primary conduction system disease (20% of patients), it was 50.6 .+-. 6.6%. It is necessary to know the causes of death and of syncope in conduction disease patients before it can be determined whether or not pacemakers can prevent either.

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