- RBBB
Background
- In RBBB, activation of the right ventricle is delayed as depolarisation has to spread across the septum from the left ventricle.
- The left ventricle is activated normally, meaning that the early part of the QRS complex is unchanged.
- The delayed right ventricular activation produces a secondary R wave (R’) in the right precordial leads (V1-3) and a wide, slurred S wave in the lateral leads.
- Delayed activation of the right ventricle also gives rise to secondary repolarization abnormalities, with ST depression and T wave inversion in the right precordial leads.
- In isolated RBBB the cardiac axis is unchanged, as left ventricular activation proceeds normally via the left bundle branch.
Tall R' wave in V1 ("M" pattern) with wide, slurred S wave in V6 ("W" pattern)
ECG changes in RBBB
Diagnostic Criteria
- Broad QRS > 120 ms
- RSR’ pattern in V1-3 (‘M-shaped’ QRS complex)
- Wide, slurred S wave in the lateral leads (I, aVL, V5-6)
Associated Features
- ST depression and T wave inversion in the right precordial leads (V1-3)
Variations
- Sometimes rather than an RSR’ pattern in V1, there may be a broad monophasic R wave or a qR complex.
Typical RSR' pattern ('M'-shaped QRS) in V1
Wide slurred S wave in lead I
Typical pattern of T-wave inversion in V1-3 with RBBB
Causes of RBBB
- Right ventricular hypertrophy / cor pulmonale
- Pulmonary embolus
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Rheumatic heart disease
- Myocarditis or cardiomyopathy
- Degenerative disease of the conduction system
- Congenital heart disease (e.g. atrial septal defect)
More ECG Examples of RBBB
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Incomplete RBBB
- Incomplete RBBB is defined as an RSR’ pattern in V1-3 with QRS duration < 120ms.
- It is a normal variant, commonly seen in children (of no clinical significance).
Incomplete RBBB (RSR' pattern in V1) in a 2-year old child
Differential Diagnosis of RBBB
- An RSR’ pattern in V1-3 may also be caused by Brugada syndrome – an ECG pattern associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
Brugada syndrome
Related Topics
Author Credits
Further Reading
- ECG BASICS – Waves, Intervals, Segments and Clinical Interpretation
- ECG CLINICAL CASES – Your favourite ECG’s placed in clinical context with a challenging Q&A approach
- ECG and Cardiology Eponymous Syndromes – Cheats guide to eponymous emancipation
- ECG Reference Sites on the WEB – the best of the rest
References
- Da Costa D, Brady WJ, Edhouse J. Bradycardias and atrioventricular conduction block. BMJ. 2002 Mar 2;324(7336):535-8. Review. PMID: 11872557. Full text.
- Hampton, JR. The ECG in Practice (5th edition), Churchill Livingstone 2008.
- Surawicz B, Knilans T. Chou’s Electrocardiography in Clinical Practice (6th edition), Saunders 2008.
- Wagner, GS. Marriott’s Practical Electrocardiography (11th edition), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2007.
About Edward Burns
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