Familial Conduction Defects

Abstract

In a family of 14, five members presented conduction defects including atrio-ventricular block (2), right bundle branch block (3), and left anterior hemiblock (3). Another sibling who died suddenly at the age of 30, exhibited normal electrocardiograms, whereas no information was available on the remaining two.A review of the literature suggests a familial character of the disease with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. It also suggests a progressive widening of the QRS complex with advancing age and the occurrence of left bundle branch block or left anterior hemiblock as precursors of atrio-ventricular block.

Familial Cardiomyopathy

“…In the family presented here ( fig. 1), rhythm disturbances similar to those described in familial 'conduction defects' [12], predominated in the majority of the cases, and the congestive heart failure appeared only at a relatively advanced age.…”

“…An interesting question is the connection of familial cardiomyopathy, and familial 'con duction defects' [12], and the differential diagnoses between these diseases. The conduction disturbances are very similar and differentiation on this basis is virtually impossible.…”