What is Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome?
In This Article
Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome (WPW syndrome) is a disorder in the conduction system of the heart in which there is pre-excitation that occurs. There is an abnormal additional electrical pathway in the heart that is between the atria and ventricle and it is called Bundle of Kent. This disorder is often asymptomatic, so people who have the disease are not aware that they have WPW syndrome.
Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome Showing An Additional Electrical Pathway from the Atria to the Ventricle
The heart of a person who has WPW Syndrome sends too much electrical impulses to the ventricles thus rapid electrical activity occurs this results in tachyarrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation and cardiac dysrythmias that can also lead to cadiogenic shock.
Since WPW Syndrome is a congenital disorder sudden cardiac death occurs because it is mostly seen or diagnosed in healthy people.
Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome Symptoms
Since WPW syndrome is a disorder of the heart its signs and symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fast heartbeats (evident at the chest)
- Poor appetite
- Failure to thrive
- Easy fatigability
- Shortness of breath
- Syncope or episodes of fainting
These signs and symptoms primarily appear during early twenties. And oftentimes palpitation last for a minute to several hours. It mostly occurs during exercises.
Symptoms in severe cases
- Difficulty in breathing
- Chest tightness
- Chest pain
- Sudden death
Causes of Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome
WPW syndrome is a form of tachycardia that results from an extra electrical bundle, which is called an accessory pathway or bypass tract that runs from the atrium to the ventricles. As a result the conduction runs quickly than in a slower rate because it did not go through the normal pathway, which is the AV node which impedes the flow to facilitate a normal cardiac rate.
There are cases in which WPW syndrome is genetically acquired, but there is a very small percentage of this happening. Hence, there are also conditions in which WPW syndrome is not inherited through familial cases.
This congenital disorder is diagnosed through an electrocardiogram for those individuals who don’t show any symptoms of the disease, an electrophysiologic study (EPS) or vectorcardiogram.
- The treatment of choice in WPW Syndrome is electrocardioversion it is used in unstable patients and is also the safest treatment.
- There are also drugs that are used in WPW Syndrome such as Procainamide, but strictly in the supervision of the cardiologist this is used only in stable patients.
- The definitive treatment for WPW syndrome is ablation of accessory pathway.
Prognosis & Life Expectancy
Ablative surgery has a success rate of 85-95%. However, the rate of the ablative surgery’s success depends on the area or location and the quantity of the accessory pathways.
There is no definitive life expectancy for WPW Syndromes because if it is treated there would be a good prognosis as well as quality of life. However, if this disorder is left untreated sudden death may occur.
These complications may include:
- Heart failure
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Sudden death
- Complications in surgery
WPW Syndrome is a congenital disorder which means it is already present at birth. It is not the disorder which can be prevented, but only to lessen the signs and symptoms such as the tachycardia episodes. In this case, people having WPW Syndrome should be aware of the complications of this disease if it will be left untreated.