People affected by LAFB present with a characteristic scaring along the section of the left ventricle. The major clinical signs which indicate the occurrence of LAFB include:

• Left axis deviation under -60°
• Small Q, in leads I and aVL, and R waves in lead aVF, II, III (with limb lead voltage being larger than usually observed)
• aVL with a slight flattening of the downward deflection

There is no overall prolonged duration for the ventricular depolarization, and as a consequence a normal duration of less than 0.10 second for the QRS complex can be observed, regardless the location of the fascicular block (in a posterior or anterior position).

The presence of the Q waves in lead I and aVL is explained by the loss of the anterior fascicle. The current, in fact, cannot flow towards these leads and therefore is initially decreased to the left. This in turn brings about the right ventricle depolarization which is duly detected in the electrocardiogram. The depolarization affects the other leads: leads II, III, and aVF produce smaller R waves, and all the limb leads (I, II, and III) produce larger voltages than those normally observed in QRS complexes.

It is possible to observe slight changes in the electrocardiogram also with left posterior fascicular block. In this case, the posterior wall depolarization falls slightly behinds, creating a wave which moves to the right. In the electrocardiogram, left posterior fascicular block is indicated by the following signs:

• Right axis deviation, which is usually higher than 120°
• aVF has small shoulder, late in the dflection
• Limb lead voltage appear larger than those usually observed

• Heart Disease

  Any of the components of the left bundle can be involved, and this complex interventricular conduction abnormality has previously been described in patients with underlying heart disease. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  If an ischemic heart disease is thought to be present, then the coronary arteries may need to be checked for the presence of blood clots. [justanswer.com]

  It can be seen in a variety of disorders, including ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, pulmonary embolism, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, pericarditis, rheumatic heart disease, Chagas disease and congenitally in association with atrial septal defect [frca.co.uk]

• Hypertension

  Other conditions that accompany LAFB include; cardio-myopathies, degenerative fibrotic disease and cardio-myopathies hypertension. There are several factors responsible for the development of LAFB. [geekloveshealth.com]

  This practice has made diagnosing LAFB very common in elderly, hypertensives, etc. In these situations it may not mean anything, except to suggest a delay in conduction in left anterior fascicle. [drsvenkatesan.com]

  Some of the common causes include, Chronic hypertension is considered to be one of the most common causes for the development of the condition. Aortic stenosis or valvular disorders can result in the development of the condition. [simple-remedies.com]

  The most common cause is chronic hypertension, followed by aortic stenosis and vascular disorders. [symptoma.com]

The criteria to diagnose LAFB on the basis of electrocardiogram can be easily understood by remembering that LAFB occurs when action potentials can no longer be conducted by the anterior fascicle part of the left bundle branch. These criteria are summed up as follows:

• Left axis deviation, which normally ranges between -45 and -90 degrees
• QRS duration appears normal or a little bit longer than normal, between 80 and 110 ms
• QRS voltage appears increased in the limb leads 
• The appearance of small Q waves associated with tall R waves, the so called qR complexes, in the leads I and aVL
• The appearance of R waves associated with deep S waves, the so called rS complexes, in the leads II, III, and aVF
• The peak time for the R waves appears prolonged in the aVL longer than 45 ms

To diagnose LAFB quickly, experts suggest to immediately identify the left axis deviation. The deviation is confirmed by the presence of increased QRS complexes in lead I, a decreased QRS complexes in leads II and aVF, and a rS complex in the lead III.

• Pericardial Effusion

  Roach: Left anterior fascicular block diagnosis causes alarm The 10 ECGs included in the assessment were as follows: (1) atrial fibrillation, (2) complete heart block, (3) atrial flutter with 2:1 block, (4) anterolateral STEMI, (5) large pericardial effusion [lalanguefrancaise.com]

• Left Axis Deviation

  The delayed and unopposed activation of the remainder of the LV now results in a shift in the QRS axis leftward and superiorly, causing marked left axis deviation. [en.wikipedia.org]

  In 212 children were found an extreme left axis deviation (or left anterior hemiblock) in ECG. In 44 (or 21%) exists an extreme left axis deviation before or after operation on congenital heart malformations. [thieme-connect.com]

  The two current criteria for diagnosis of left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) were evaluated; they are marked left axis deviation (LAD) and a delay in the time of inscription of the intrinsicoid deflection (ID) in lead aVL asynchronous to V6. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] quick way to diagnose a left anterior fascicular block on ECG is to first identify the left axis deviation; see image below. [healio.com]

• Right Axis Deviation

  In your differential, consider posterior fascicular blocks with right axis deviation and consider anterior fascicular blocks with left axis deviation. Fascicular blocks cause axis deviations, like infarcts and hypertrophy. [inside.fammed.wisc.edu]

  Left anterior fascicular block has a marked left-axis eviation and left posterior fascicular block has a marked right-axis deviation (see how to determine the heart axis ). [en.my-ekg.com]

  Do not be tempted to diagnose LPFB until you have ruled out more significant causes of right axis deviation : Example: acute pulmonary embolus ; tricyclic overdose ; lateral STEMI ; and right ventricular hypertrophy. [lifeinthefastlane.com]

  Right Bundle Branch Block and Left Posterior Fascicular Block (RBBB/LPFB) This is essentially right bundle branch block with right axis deviation. [ecgmedicaltraining.com]

  On the ECG, left posterior fascicular block is indicated when: there is right axis deviation ( > + 120 degrees). no evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy (right ventricular hypertrophy also produces right axis deviation). aVF has the small shoulder [courses.kcumb.edu]

• Left Anterior Fascicular Block

  Abstract A patient in whom exercise induced reversible ischaemic left anterior fascicular block is reported. Glyceryl trinitrate relieved the fascicular block. Coronary angiography showed a 90% obstruction of the left anterior descending artery. [heart.bmj.com]

  None of the clinical characteristics differed among patients with or without left anterior fascicular block. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Right Bundle Branch Block

  Research of Right Bundle Branch Block And Left Anterior Fascicular Block has been linked to Anterior Fascicular Blocks, Left Anterior Fascicular Block, Right Bundle Branch Block, Block, Fascicular, Bundle-branch Block. [novusbio.com]

  In the presence of a recent anterior infarction, right bundle branch block may also be masked. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  In Part 1 of our ‘Bundle Branch Blocks’ series we learnt about left and right bundle branch blocks. [medicalexamprep.co.uk]

  Atrial Pacing With Right Bundle Branch Block No instructor's collection should be without an atrial paced rhythm OR a right bundle branch block. Here, you get both. First, the atrial pacing. [ecgguru.com]

• Ventricular Hypertrophy

  Thus, left anterior fascicular block may mask or mimic infarction and left ventricular hypertrophy and mask right bundle branch block in the setting of an acute anterior myocardial infarction. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  hypertrophy (LVH) Left bundle branch block (LBBB) Left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) Paced rhythm Ventricular beats/ectopy Pre-excitation (e.g. [ecgweekly.com]

  Noteworthy Establishing a diagnosis of LPFB requires that there are no clinical or ECG criteria of right ventricular hypertrophy present. Right ventricular hypertrophy is actually more common than LPFB and may cause ECG findings similar to LPFB. [ecgwaves.com]

• Abnormal ECG

  Since the location and mechanism of conduction delay have notable variability between individual patients, we hypothesized that the impaired conduction in the ventricular myocardium may lead to abnormal ECGs similar to LAFB ECG patterns. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  So this issue, we are going to study an abnormal ECG and work through it. [bjcardio.co.uk]

  Medical Device Network, Checkpoint Surgical introduces bipolar nerve stimulator The interpretation I received stated that I had an abnormal ECG with a “left anterior fascicular block. [lalanguefrancaise.com]

Treatment is largely dependent on the degree of the block and the clinical signs present. In most cases in general, the treatment includes the following clinical protocols:

• A thorough cardiac evaluation, especially to find out the extent of the pathological condition.
• Regular daily physical exercise, especially jogging and walking, according to the general conditions of the affected patient. The physical exercise is functional in maintaining the activity of the cardiovascular system, above all when affected by cardiovascular pathologies. 
• Special diet regimens, especially those which provide a reduced intake of fats and carbohydrates.
• Addition of healthy oral supplements in the diet such as replacement of saturated fats by polyunsaturated fat sources like olive oil and flax seed oil to improve overall heart conditions.
• Experts also suggest a decrease in salt intake. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins, as replacement of saturated fats, are strongly recommended. 
• Reduction or complete elimination of smoking and alcohol, since these habits cause vasoconstriction and further compromise blood circulation. 

There is no treatment for bi-fascicular block, which occurs when right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicular block take place at the same time. In particular situations, bi-fascicular block can lead to complete heart block, a condition which requires the implantation of a pacemaker.

LAFB is seen as a benign electrocardiographic finding, even though there is no precise information regarding its consequences in the long run [1]. The block is the result of fibrosis in the conduction system, with a clear association between LAFB and myocardial fibrosis, even if there is complete absence of cardiovascular problems [3] [4]. This is a very useful early sign not only for fibrosis itself, but also for more severe conditions such as atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure [5] [6].

In the absence of adequate data, the prognostic significance of LAFB is still largely unknown, especially among those who have shown no previous episodes of myocardial infarction and might present with an increased possibilities of coronary artery disease [7] [8]. It is important to notice that no association between LAFB and increased risk of cardiac death has been detected [8]. So far the related data are still limited and largely restricted to a few patients with no long-term clinical follow-up. In those patients for whom LAFB comes as a clinical complication of acute myocardial infarction, this disorder is seen as the consequence of ischemia injury of the anterior fascicle. In this contest, LAFB is also associated with a larger infarct size as well as left anterior descending coronary artery disease, but not with higher mortality rates [9] [10] [11].

All and all, these data seem to indicate that LAFB can be a clinically relevant marker for the propensity of a subject to develop left heart fibrosis, but further studies are needed to find out whether or not LAFB is an important predictor for the coming of other cardiac complications [3] [4].

Many factors have been known as possible causes for the genesis of LAFB. The most common cause is chronic hypertension, followed by aortic stenosis and vascular disorders. Other factors include dilation of aortic root, dilated cardiomyopathy, aging, degenerative fibrotic disease, and even acute myocardial infarction, with around 4% of the cases associated with LAFB.

It is a significant point that isolated episodes of LAFB can also be caused by fibrosis. This means that if fibrosis has occurred LAFB can be associated with an increased possibility of cardiovascular pathological outcomes such as atrial fibrillation or congestive heart failure, even if there are not any clear clinical signs [2]. From this point of view, LAFB can be seen as an early manifestation of diffused cardiac fibrosis which subsequently lead to adverse cardiovascular outcomes [2].

LAFB is more prevalent in men than women, and its frequency tends to increase with ageing. The spontaneous closure of septal defects in ventricles is associated with LAFB, and this might explain the presence of this defect also in young people.

The ventricular conduction system is made of three major divisions or fascicles, which include: the right bundle branch and the two left divisions, the anterior and the posterior one. Since the left anterior division is frequently smaller than the posterior one, it is usually more often affected by fascicular blocks. The anterior divisions leads electrical signals to the upper parts of the ventricle, the anterior part and the lateral walls, while the posterior division mainly leads electrical signals to the lower part towards the posterior wall. When a left anterior fascicular block occurs, the initial septal activation and the activation of the inferior and apical areas are oriented anteriorly and inferiorly, with the first one to the right and the second one to the left. Then follows the activation of the anterolateral and posterobasal areas of the left ventricular wall, which is oriented superiorly and posteriorly to the left.

The trifascicular form of the intraventricular conduction system and the associated concept of triventricular block were first observed back in 1968, and since then the pathological, electrophysiological, and clinical aspects of this disorder have constantly been confirmed by the subsequent studies conducted on this subject. However, it should be noted that LAFB might simulate or even mask the electrocardiographic signs of myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia, as well as mask or simulate those of ventricular hypertrophy. Therefore, electrocardiogram findings must be interpreted carefully. In this regard, it is very helpful to remember that LAFB is often associated with anteroseptal myocardial infarction, arterial hypertension, and other heart diseases.

As previously stated, LAFB develops when an interruption of the electrical activity in the left bundle anterior fascicle occurs, which subsequently causes a delay in the related depolarization for the left ventricle upper part. This condition is classically revealed by a left axis deviation in the electrocardiogram, which usually is less than -60°, together with smaller Q waves in leads I and aVL, R waves in leads II, III, and aVF, and a shorter QRS that usually becomes less than 0.12 second for all leads.

LAFB tends to become more frequent with the advancement of age, even though it might follow the spontaneous closure of ventricular septal defects. Isolated case of left posterior fascicular block, instead, is very rare, with a prognostic significance that still remains largely unknown and is usually associated with right bundle-branch block. In this case, prognosis might be very serious and frequently result in complete atrioventricular block and Adams-Stoke seizures.

It is important to note that left anterior fascicular block can also provoke the block of more than one fascicle, in the contest of a bifascicular or trifascicular block.

People having the presence of LAFB but apparently having no signs of known cardiovascular disease are faced with a greater risk to sufferer from it. In order to reduce the risk of developing such pathological cardiovascular conditions, the following drugs can be prescribed:

• Statins – well known for its capacity of lowering blood cholesterol levels 
• Blood pressure tablets – particularly useful for treating high blood pressure
• Low-dose aspirin: mainstay for the treatment aimed at preventing blood clot formation

While planning a regime to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, the following factors should be taken into consideration:

• Patient’s diet
• Alcohol intake
• Weight 
• Physical activity
• Patient’s bad habits, such as smoking and alcohol intake

The left bundle splits into two branches called left anterior fascicle and left posterior fascicle, which spread in the left ventricle to conduct electrical signals. If this cardiac region is damaged, electrical conduction is slowed down and results in a delay in the heart pumping activity. This condition is called fascicular block, or specifically left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) or left posterior fascicular block (LPFB), according to the bundle branch concerned. It is also referred to as left anterior hemiblock. LAFB is considered a benign electrocardiographic finding, even though its clinical consequences in a long run have not been completely understood yet [1].

It is well known that fascicular block does not prolong ventricular depolarization, and depolarization of the rest of the ventricle continues as it would in normal clinical conditions. This is a significant aspect to remember, as it determines the electrocardiographic appearance usually observed in fascicular blocks. LAFB is frequently associated with other cardiac pathologies such as valvular disorder, hypertension, cardio-myopathies, and degenerative fibrotic disease, and can be easily diagnosed by using ECG.

Left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) is defined as a cardiovascular disease in which electrical impulses are slowed down in their movement around the cardiac muscles, in a condition which results in a delay of the heart pumping activity. This pathology is the consequence of a defect on the anterior half of the bundle of His, a special group of cell specialized in transmitting electrical impulses from the AV node to the apex of the heart, which determines the appearance of an irregular heart contraction. Although patients affected by LAFB are frequently asymptomatic, those who do report clinical signs often show the following symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Chest pain (intermittent or recurrent)
• Valvular disorders
• Cardio-myopathies
• Hypertension
• Degenerative fibrotic disease

In the worse cases the pathology leads to the development of myocardial infarction episodes. Treatment largely depends on the severity and degree of the blockage, even though the most frequently protocols include the following procedures:

• Complete cardiac evaluation: necessary to provide a throughout evaluation of the general heart conditions
• Replacement of saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats: olive oil and flax seeds oil are highly recommended due to their beneficial effects on the heart
• Reduction of salt intake
• Reduction of fats and carbohydrates intake
• Increase of protein intake
• Regular physical exercise: to maintain a proper functioning of the entire cardiovascular system
• Avoiding smoking and alcohol: as nicotine and alcohol are two well known vasoconstrictors which greatly affect the cardiovascular system functioning

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