What is Wolff Parkinson white syndrome?

 Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a type of heart problem present at birth (congenital heart defect) 

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. It is characterized by an extra electrical pathway between the heart's upper and lower chambers, which causes a rapid heartbeat

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. WPW syndrome is fairly rare, but it is one of the most common causes of fast heart rate problems in infants and children

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Symptoms

The most common sign of WPW syndrome is a rapid heartbeat

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. Episodes can last for seconds, minutes, hours, or, in rare cases, days

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. Other symptoms may include chest pain, palpitations, difficulty breathing, pounding heartbeat, pulse that's too fast to count, and reduced ability to tolerate activity

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Diagnosis

If you have a fast heartbeat, your healthcare provider will likely recommend tests to check for WPW syndrome, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), a Holter monitor, an event recorder, or an electrophysiological (EP) study

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. An ECG is a quick and painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart

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. A Holter monitor is a portable ECG device that is worn for a day or more to record the heart's rate and rhythm during daily activities

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. An event recorder is a wearable ECG device used to detect infrequent arrhythmias

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. An EP study may be recommended to distinguish between WPW syndrome and other arrhythmias

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Treatment

Treatment of WPW syndrome may include special actions, medications, a shock to the heart (cardioversion), or a catheter procedure to stop the irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) 

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. The two main treatment approaches to WPW syndrome are pharmacotherapy and EPS with RF catheter ablation

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. EPS with ablation is the first-line treatment for symptomatic WPW syndrome and for patients with high-risk occupations

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. It has replaced surgical treatment and most drug treatments

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. The best long-term plan is to not use drugs at all

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. All patients who have symptomatic WPW syndrome should be evaluated by a cardiovascular specialist (adult or pediatric cardiologist) and/or an electrophysiologist (arrhythmia specialist) with expertise in invasive studies

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.Remember to consult with your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan

.Citations:

[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354626

[2] https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/159222-treatment

[3] https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/heart-and-blood-vessels/conditions/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome

[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354630

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554437/

[6] https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000151.htm

[7] https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome

[8] https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/w/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome.html

[9] https://www.uptodate.com/contents/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome-beyond-the-basics

[10] https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome-wpw

[11] https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome/

[12] https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome/treatment

[13] https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome/diagnosis

[14] https://upbeat.org/pediatrics/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome-wpw

[15] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome/

[16] https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome

[17] https://emj.bmj.com/content/20/5/491

[18] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome

[19] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17643-wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome-wpw

[20] https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/159222-overview