A Study of Heart Block in Man Using His Bundle Recordings

The technique of recording His bundle electrograms in man by a tripolar electrode catheter was applied in a study of patients with first, second, and third-degree heart block. In all patients with first-degree heart block (congenital, acquired, or induced by atrial pacing), the delay in A-V conduction occurred proximal to the His bundle as evidenced by a prolonged P-H interval. The enhancement of A-V conduction (shortening the P-H interval) due to isoproterenol was qualitatively similar in the three forms of first-degree block. In cases of Wenckebach phenomenon the P-H interval progressively increased until a dropped beat occurred. The nonconducted P wave was not followed by a His deflection, indicating block proximal to the His bundle. Cases of 2:1 and 3:1 block occurring proximal to the His bundle were also studied. The usefulness of His-bundle recordings in the diagnosis of cases of complete and incomplete bilateral bundle-branch block is also demonstrated.