R-Wave Peak Time at Lead II in Adults With Ventricular Premature Beats, Bundle Branch Block and Left Anterior Fascicular Block.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the R-wave peak time (RWPT) at lead II was reported to be a helpful and simple tool for differentiating wide QRS complex tachycardias with a RWPT ≥ 50ms for ventricular tachycardia diagnosis. Our previous study showed that the duration of RWPT at lead II in adults was ≈29ms. However, the effects of ventricular premature beats (VPBs), bundle branch block (BBB) or left anterior fascicular block (LAFB) on RWPT at lead II remain unknown.

METHODS: The study was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College in Southern China. Adults with VPBs, BBB or LAFB were included. RWPT at lead II was determined.

RESULTS: Compared with the control groups, the right BBB, LAFB, RWPT were longer in groups with left BBB and VPBs. Compared with the group with left BBB, the group with VPBs had a significantly longer RWPT at lead II (54.20 ± 18.52 versus 84.76 ± 16.38ms, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Our study showed that there is a significant difference in the RWPT at lead II between groups with left BBB, ventricular premature beat, right BBB and LAFB. A RWPT of 50ms may be optimal to differentiate between ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia with right left BBB and LAFB, but not with left BBB.