wolff parkinson white syndrome

Question 1

what is wolff parkinson white syndrome

Answer 1

genetic disorder that allows abnormal conduction to occur in the heart via an accessory pathway

Question 2

describe the aetiology of wolff parkinson white syndrome

Answer 2

congenital

Question 3

describe the pathophysiology of wolff parkinson white syndrome

Answer 3

accessory pathway is present (bundle of Kent)

allows depolarisation to return to the atria from the ventricles

creates a re-entrant loop that predisposes to tachyarrhythmias

Question 4

name some tachyarrhythmias

Answer 4

atrial fibrillation
atrial flutter
AVRT - atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia

Question 5

describe the clinical presentation of wolff parkinson white syndrome

Answer 5

often asymptomatic and incidental finding

acute episodes of SVT - palpitations, dyspnoea, tachycardia

Question 6

describe the ECG findings in wolff parkinson white syndrome

Answer 6

wide QRS
short PR interval
slurred upstroke on the QRS complex - pre-excitation of the ventricles

Question 7

what is the management of wolff parkinson white syndrome

Answer 7

treat any tachyarrhythmia present

definitive treatment is radiofrequency ablation of the accessory pathway

Question 8

describe the investigations performed in suspected wolff parkinson white syndrome

Answer 8

ECG