Application of prophylactic gel-pads for transcutaneous pacing in patients with complete right bundle-branch block with axis deviation when surgical procedures are performed: 10-year experience from a single Japanese university hospital.

This retrospective study aimed to determine whether prophylactic transcutaneous pacing is required for patients with complete right bundle-branch block (CRBBB) and axis deviation (AD), so-called bifascicular block, when surgical procedures are performed under general or local anesthesia. The authors reviewed 34 063 anesthesia cases that took place at Nara Medical University Hospital during a 10-year period (1996-2005). The anesthesia records of all identified patients having CRBBB or bifascicular block were retrospectively reviewed and the incidence of block progression to complete heart block or bradycardia requiring temporary transcutaneous pacing served as the primary endpoint. As a secondary endpoint, the incidence of block progression to complete heart block or bradycardia requiring only medical treatment was checked. Seventy of the 34 063 patients (0.2%) had CRBBB with AD. Only 1 patient with CRBBB with left AD, who underwent on-pump aorto-coronary bypass grafting surgery, developed complete heart block at the resumption of heartbeat. None of the other 69 patients, except for this cardiac case, developed complete heart block during surgery. Based on this analysis of 70 cases, prophylactic gel-pad electrode application in patients with CRBBB and AD does not appear to be necessary during surgical procedures.