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[Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome].
1Service de cardiologie, hôpital Lariboisière, 75475 Paris 10. paul.milliez@lrb.ap-hop-paris.fr
La Revue Du Praticien
|January 6, 2005
Summary
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a congenital heart condition, involves an accessory pathway causing abnormal heart rhythms. Radiofrequency ablation is recommended for patients with rapid accessory pathway conduction, regardless of symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Congenital Heart Disease
Context:
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a rare congenital heart condition characterized by an accessory electrical pathway between the atria and ventricles.
- ECG findings include a short PR interval, delta wave, wide QRS complex, and abnormal ventricular repolarization.
Purpose:
- To outline the diagnostic criteria and management strategies for WPW syndrome.
- To determine the indications for electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency ablation.
Summary:
- Patients may be asymptomatic or experience paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias due to reentrant circuits involving the accessory pathway.
- A significant risk of sudden cardiac death exists in patients with a short refractory period in the accessory pathway.
- Electrophysiologic study is crucial for characterizing and localizing the accessory pathway.
Impact:
- Immediate radiofrequency ablation is recommended for patients with accessory pathways capable of rapid anterograde conduction, including asymptomatic individuals.
- Medical or ablation therapy is reserved for symptomatic patients with less concerning pathway characteristics.