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Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome Causes and Risks:
Normally, the electrical stimulus of the heart travels through the atria and then through the atrioventricular (AV) node where it is delayed before continuing into the ventricles.
Wolff-Parkinson-White is a form of tachycardia ( rapid heart rate ) where there is an "accessory" atrioventricular conduction pathway. The extra pathway bypasses the normal conduction delay of the AV node and causes a form of supraventricular tachycardia (rapid heart rate that is initiated above the ventricles) called reentry. The extra pathway in Wolff-Parkinson-White can often be located precisely.
Wolff-Parkinson-White occurs in approximately 4 out of 100,000 people, and is one of the most common causes of
tachy-arrhythmia (fast heart rate disorder) in infants and children.
Prevention:
unknown
Symptoms:
Note: There may be no symptoms; if symptoms are present they may progressively increase in frequency or severity:
Signs and Tests:
An examination will reveal a heart rate greater that 150 (normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute), and blood pressure is normal or low.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome may be evident in the following tests: - ECG ( electrocardiogram ) looking for a finding called a "delta wave"
- continuous ambulatory monitoring ( Holter monitor )
- EPS : intracardiac electrophysiology study showing the accessory pathway
Treatment:
The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms by reducing the episodes of tachycardia .
Medication may be used to control or prevent tachycardia episodes, including adenosine, antiarrhythmics, and amiodarone. Digoxin, verapamil, and beta-blockers (other drugs commonly used to treat tachycardia) can increase the frequency of tachycardia episodes for some people with WPW.
Other treatments to stop a persistent episode of tachycardia may include electrical cardioversion (shock) or occasionally, pacemakers designed to interrupt the reentry cycle
Surgery may provide a permanent cure for Wolff-Parkinson-White. It involves destruction (ablation) of the accessory pathway through open heart surgery or catheter ablation procedures.
Prognosis:
The outcome varies. Ablation of the pathway (if it can be located) usually cures Wolff-Parkinson-White.
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate Wolff-Parkinson-White may be present, or if you have this disorder and symptoms worsen or do not improve with treatment.
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