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[Risk of ventricular fibrillation in patients with Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome]

M Bootsma1, E E van der Wall, M J Schalij

  • 1Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Cardiologie, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden. m.bootsma@lumc.nl

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|May 2, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome can lead to sudden cardiac death, especially with atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency catheter ablation offers a curative treatment for this heart rhythm disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome affects 1-3 per 1000 individuals.
  • It involves an accessory atrioventricular connection, predisposing to cardiac arrhythmias.

Observation:

  • Three cases are presented: a 16-year-old boy with sudden collapse and death, and two men (26 and 29 years old) experiencing palpitations and requiring resuscitation.
  • All three were diagnosed with WPW syndrome.

Findings:

  • Sudden death in WPW patients is often caused by atrial fibrillation with 1:1 conduction through the accessory pathway, leading to ventricular fibrillation.
  • Radiofrequency catheter ablation successfully treated the two adult patients by interrupting the accessory pathway, preventing further arrhythmias.

Implications:

  • WPW syndrome poses a significant risk of sudden cardiac death, estimated at 0.0-0.6% per patient per year.
  • Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response can be the initial presentation of WPW syndrome.
  • Radiofrequency catheter ablation provides a curative treatment option for WPW syndrome, significantly reducing mortality risk.

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