Clinical characteristics and value in early reperfusion therapy for new onset right bundle branch block in patients with acute myocardial infarction

The value of the right bundle branch block (RBBB) in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction remains unclear. Studies on the RBBB may significantly influence the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. A total of 845 patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent primary coronary angiography at Henan Provincial People's Hospital were analyzed. Higher peak enzyme levels, a higher ratio of Killip >II and closer proximal occlusion of infarct-related artery (IRA) were observed in patients with RBBB compared with those without. The ratio of TIMI flow 0/1 of IRA and ratio of received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to IRA in the RBBB group were significantly higher compared with those in the left (L) BBB or no BBB groups. The in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) incidence in the RBBB group was higher compared with that in the no BBB group, but there was no significant difference between the RBBB and LBBB groups. Logistic regression revealed that proximal occlusion and TIMI flow 0/1 of IRA were predictive factors of RBBB. Cox regression analysis identified RBBB [ risk ratio (RR), 4.682; P<0.001] and LBBB (RR, 3.687; P<0.001) as independent predictors of in-hospital MACE. The cumulative one-year survival rate in the RBBB group was significantly lower than those in the no BBB group (P<0.05) and the LBBB group (P<0.05). Similar to the guidelines regarding new onset of LBBB, new onset RBBB should be considered as a standard indicator for reperfusion therapy; as RBBB is associated with more severe symptoms, and higher incidents of complete occlusion of IRA and primary PCI treatment compared with LBBB.