[Complete bundle branch block during exercise test. Clinical and coronary angiographic data].

Thirty-two complete bundle branch blocks were observed during 16,500 exercise stress tests between 1973 and 1988: there were 7 right bundle branch blocks and 25 left bundle branch blocks. Exercise stress testing was indicated in 15 cases for stable angina, in 15 cases for different functional disturbances and in 2 cases as a systematic investigation. All patients underwent coronary angiography and selective left ventriculography. Right bundle branch block occurring at a heart rate of 105 +/- 25/mn were associated with typical anginal pain at the time of apparition in 5 patients. Coronary angiography showed triple vessel disease in 3 cases, double vessel disease in 2 cases and an isolated proximal lesion of the left anterior descending artery in 2 cases. Left bundle branch block occurring at a heart rate of 125 +/- 12/mn was associated with normal coronary angiography in 7 cases. Eighteen patients had pathological coronary angiogrammes with severe lesions of the left anterior descending artery. Two women suffered from chest pain when the block developed and coronary angiography was normal in one of them. During follow-up (average 62 months), 16 coronary events were observed including 2 infarcts, and 6 patients developed cardiac failure. In conclusion, complete right bundle branch block appearing during exercise stress testing was constantly associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. The predictive value of complete left bundle branch block on effort was 72%. Complete left bundle branch block occurring at heart rates of less than 120/mn was frequently associated with a proximal stenosis of the left anterior descending artery.