What does left axis shift mean?

What does left axis shift mean?

Left axis deviation is a border deviation in athletes, which, if it is combined with another borderline feature such as right bundle branch block, requires further investigation in view of increased risk of sudden cardiac death.

What causes QRS axis change?

Change in heart position will cause deviation of the frontal QRS axis throughout its normal range. 2. About 3° of change in the frontal QRS axis is caused by each degree of positional change of the heart.

What does a left axis deviation indicate?

In electrocardiography, left axis deviation is a condition where the mean electrical axis of ventricular contraction of the heart lies in a frontal plane direction between −30° and −90°. This is reflected by a QRS complex positive in lead I and negative in leads aVF and II.

How serious is left axis deviation?

In conclusion, among patients with left bundle branch block, those with left axis deviation have a greater incidence of myocardial dysfunction, more advanced conduction desease and greater cardiovascular mortality than those with a normal axis.

What conditions cause left axis deviation?

Left axis deviation occurs when the QRS axis falls between -30 and -90. There are a variety of causes, including left anterior fascicular block and left ventricular hypertrophy. See the ECG basics section on determining axis for details.

What does an abnormal QRS axis mean?

We found that although an abnormal QRS axis (falling outside the limits of +30 degrees and +90 degrees) occurs in a small number of normal individuals, its presence should prompt a thorough evaluation of all the parameters of the ECG to look for myocardial disease.

Is mild left axis deviation serious?

Left axis deviation (LAD) is the most common “abnormality” in adults, occurring in over 8% of patients. It can be part of the criteria for LVH, but in isolation it has little significance. Marked LAD (45% or more) is calledleft anterior hemiblock orleft anterior fascicular block.

What does the QRS axis tell you about the heart?

Answer. The QRS axis represents the major vector of ventricular activation, which is the overall direction of electrical activity.

What is normal QRS axis?

The normal adult QRS axis is between -30 degrees and +90 degrees, which is directed downward and to the left. This adult range is sometimes extended from -30 degrees to +100 degrees.