Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome(WPW)
by
Laurie Rosenblum, MPH DefinitionWolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is a disorder of the heart’s electrical activity. It causes the heart to beat with an irregular rhythm and faster than normal. This is called tachyarrhythmia. CausesIn a normal heart, electrical signals that cause the heart to beat begin in the area known as the sinoatrial (SA) node, located in the right upper chamber (atrium) of the heart. The electrical signal goes from the SA node down to the atrioventricular (AV) node which is between the atria and the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). The AV node slows down the electrical impulse so that the ventricles have time to fill with blood before contracting. In WPW, the electrical signals travel along an extra, abnormal pathway that goes around the AV node. This causes the signals to be unregulated and to arrive at the ventricles too soon. The signals often alert the ventricles to contract abnormally. As a result, the heart beats much faster than normal. The extra pathway is caused by abnormal growth of tissue that connects the heart’s chambers. This occurs in the embryo—during the first 8 weeks after conception.
Risk FactorsThere are no known risk factors for WPW syndrome. SymptomsSome people with WPW syndrome never have tachyarrhythmia and its associated symptoms. In those who do, symptoms usually begin between ages 11-50 years old. The frequency and severity of the tachyarrhythmia varies from one person to another and may be associated with any or all of these symptoms:
In rare cases, a person will go into cardiac arrest and lose consciousness. DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. If you are having a tachyarrhythmia due to WPW syndrome, you will have normal or low blood pressure and a heart rate of 150-250 beats per minute. (A normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute.) If you are not having irregular heart rhythms during the exam, the results of the exam may be normal. In either case, an ECG (electrocardiogram—a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the skin) will usually show a specific wave that signals an extra electrical pathway. Other tests may include:
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate episodes of tachyarrhythmia and associated symptoms. If you do not have symptoms, treatment is usually not necessary. If you do need treatment, it may include: MedicationAnti-arrhythmics may be given to coordinate your heart's electrical signals. This can control or prevent episodes of rapid heartbeat. However, you must take the medication carefully because it can sometimes make an abnormal heart rhythm worse. Radiofrequency AblationThis is a procedure in which a catheter delivers energy at a particular radiofrequency to your heart. This destroys the abnormal electrical pathway. In most cases, ablation is successful and ends the need to take medication. Open-heart SurgeryOpen-heart surgery is done to destroy the abnormal pathway. However, this procedure is rarely done. DefibrillationThis is done in the case of cardiac arrest, which is rare. Defibrillation gives the heart a brief electric shock. This procedure converts a rapid, irregular heartbeat back into a normal heartbeat. PreventionThere is no known way of preventing WPW syndrome. However, symptoms can be prevented with proper treatment. RESOURCES:American Heart Association http://www.heart.org/ Heart Rhythm Society http://www.hrsonline.org/ CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Heart Rhythm Society http://www.chrsonline.ca Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada http://www.heartandstroke.ca References:Atrial fibrillation and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated September 2017. Accessed November 29, 2017.
Cardiac bypass tracts. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed...
. Updated February 22, 2017. Accessed November 29, 2017.
Other heart rhythm disorders. American Heart Association website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated December 21, 2016. Accessed November 29, 2017. Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC Last Updated: 12/20/2014 |
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