[Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome. Intensive physical activity: the value of fulguration]

In subjects with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome an intense physical activity or the practice of sports may not only trigger off cardiac arrhythmias but also worsen their consequences and become life-threatening. A full electrophysiological study, including measurement of the anterograde refractory period of the accessory pathway, induction of atrial fibrillation and study of the effects of isoprenaline, seems to be indispensable to detect those patients who are most at risk. When the risk of potentially serious arrhythmia appears to be confirmed, catheter ablation of the accessory pathway may be the ideal solution, as it may cure the disease without the sequelae inherent in surgery. The results obtained in 19 athletes or subjects with intense physical activity (19) successes without preventive anti-arrhythmic treatment and at the cost of a single case of asymptomatic atrioventricular block) suggest that the catheter ablation technique will greatly benefit such patients.