Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome Flashcards
What is the definition WPW Syndrome?
Acongenital abnormality which can result in supraventricular tachycardias that use an accessory pathway. It is a pre-excitation syndrome.
What is the aetiology of WPW Syndrome?
The accessory pathway (bundle of Kent) is likely to be congenital
Associations:
- Congenital cardiac defects
- Ebstein’s anomaly (congenital malformation of the heart characterised by displacement of septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets)
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Cardiomyopathies (e.g. HOCM)
What is the epidemiology of WPW Syndrome?
Relatively COMMON
Most common of the ventricular pre-excitation syndromes
Found in ALL AGES
More common in the YOUNG
Prevalence decreases with age
What are the presenting symptoms of WPW Syndrome?
SVT may occur in early childhood
Often ASYMPTOMATIC - may be an incidental finding of an ECG
Symptoms:
- Palpitations
- Light-headedness
- Syncope
Paroxysmal SVT may be followed by a period of polyuria, due to atrial dilatation and release of ANP
Sudden death - if SVT deteriorates into VF
Clinical features of associated cardiac defects (e.g. mitral valve prolapse, cardiomyopathy)
What is the appropriate investigations for WPW syndrome?
ECG may be normal if the conduction speed of the impulse along the accessory pathway matches the conduction speed down the bundle of His
Classic ECG findings:
- Short PR interval
- Broad QRS complex
- Slurred upstroke producing a delta wave
Patient may be in SVT (AVRT)
Bloods - check for other causes of arrhythmia
Echocardiogram - check for structural heart defects
