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Published on: February 28, 2012
Pre-Excited Atrial Fibrillation Degenerating Into Ventricular Fibrillation Captured by an Automated External
Mari Nakayama1, Kodai Shinzato1, Yuki Norita1
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine Saga University Saga Japan.
Journal of Arrhythmia
|August 14, 2026
Summary
An automated external defibrillator (AED) recorded a rare transition from atrial fibrillation to ventricular fibrillation in a patient with undiagnosed Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, showing the danger of accessory pathways.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is characterized by an accessory electrical pathway in the heart.
- Pre-excited atrial fibrillation can degenerate into life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in WPW patients.
- Early diagnosis and management of WPW syndrome are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the real-time electrophysiological transition from pre-excited atrial fibrillation to ventricular fibrillation.
- To illustrate the clinical utility of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in capturing critical cardiac events.
- To emphasize the malignant potential of accessory pathways in WPW syndrome.
Main Methods:
- A case study involving a patient with previously undiagnosed WPW syndrome.
- Real-time data acquisition using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
- Analysis of the recorded electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify the arrhythmia transition.
Main Results:
- The AED successfully captured the spontaneous transition from pre-excited atrial fibrillation to ventricular fibrillation.
- The event occurred in a patient with undiagnosed WPW syndrome.
- The findings underscore the rapid and potentially fatal progression of arrhythmias in this condition.
Conclusions:
- Rapidly conducting accessory pathways in WPW syndrome pose a significant risk of sudden cardiac death.
- AEDs can provide valuable data during critical arrhythmic events.
- This case highlights the importance of recognizing and managing WPW syndrome promptly.
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