Successful prediction of left bundle branch block-induced cardiomyopathy and treatment effect by artificial intelligence-enabled electrocardiogram

BackgroundLeft bundle branch block (LBBB) induced cardiomyopathy is an increasingly recognized disease entity. However, no clinical testing has been shown to be able to predict such an occurrence.Case reportA 70-year-old male with a prior history of LBBB with preserved ejection fraction (EF) and no other known cardiovascular conditions presented with presyncope, high-grade AV block, and heart failure with reduced EF (36%). His coronary angiogram was negative for any obstructive disease. No other known etiologies for cardiomyopathy were identified. Artificial intelligence-enabled ECGs performed 6 years prior to clinical presentation consistently predicted a high probability (up to 91%) of low EF. The patient successfully underwent left bundle branch area (LBBA) pacing with correction of the underlying LBBB. Subsequent AI ECGs showed a large drop in the probability of low EF immediately after LBBA pacing to 47% and then to 3% 2 months post procedure. His heart failure symptoms markedly improved and EF normalized to 54% at the same time.ConclusionsArtificial intelligence-enabled ECGS may help identify patients who are at risk of developing LBBB-induced cardiomyopathy and predict the response to LBBA pacing.