Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW)

Question 1

Which of the following is not associated with an irregularly irregular pulse?

A	Atrial fibrillation
B	Atrial flutter with variable block
C	Ventricular ectopics
D	Atrial ectopics
E     Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Answer 1

All of the above are causes of an irregularly irregular heart rate, except Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome.

WPW is a preexcitation syndrome that is characterised by a congenital accessory pathway and episodic tachyarrhythmias.

Question 2

The accessory pathway in … is usually referred to as the ‘Bundle of Kent’ and it can allow conduction antegrade or retrograde. If there is antegrade conduction during normal electrical activity it can be seen on the resting ECG. Retrograde only conduction ‘conceals’ the accessory pathway.

Answer 2

The accessory pathway in WPW is usually referred to as the ‘Bundle of Kent’ and it can allow conduction antegrade or retrograde. If there is antegrade conduction during normal electrical activity it can be seen on the resting ECG. Retrograde only conduction ‘conceals’ the accessory pathway.

Question 3

This condition may cause … which is a type of supraventricular tachycardia. These cause a rapid, but regular, heart rate.

Answer 3

This condition may cause atrioventricular non-nodal reentrant tachycardias (AVNRT), which is a type of supraventricular tachycardia. These cause a rapid, but regular, heart rate.

Question 4

WPW is a … syndrome that is characterised by a congenital accessory pathway and episodic tachyarrhythmias.

Answer 4

WPW is a preexcitation syndrome that is characterised by a congenital accessory pathway and episodic tachyarrhythmias.

Question 5

The accessory pathway in WPW is usually referred to as the ‘…’ and it can allow conduction antegrade or retrograde. If there is antegrade conduction during normal electrical activity it can be seen on the resting ECG. Retrograde only conduction ‘conceals’ the accessory pathway.

Answer 5

The accessory pathway in WPW is usually referred to as the ‘Bundle of Kent’ and it can allow conduction antegrade or retrograde. If there is antegrade conduction during normal electrical activity it can be seen on the resting ECG. Retrograde only conduction ‘conceals’ the accessory pathway.