Doctor123.org

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome? " пїЅ Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a condition that can cause fast heart beats that in turn cause episodes of dizziness or fainting. пїЅ пїЅ

People with WPW syndrome can have episodes when their heart beats much faster than normal. This can cause symptoms. The fast heartbeat can come and go suddenly. Sometimes, a fast heartbeat goes back to normal on its own. Other times, treatment is needed. пїЅ пїЅ

How do normal heartbeats happen? " пїЅ A normal heartbeat happens when an electrical signal starts in 1 spot near the top of the heart. This electrical signal follows a path to spread across the heart. As it spreads, the signal causes the heart muscle to squeeze. Each time the heart squeezes, blood is sent all over the body. Normally, the heart beats in a regular way 60 to 80 times a minute. пїЅ пїЅ

People can have abnormal heartbeats if: пїЅ пїЅ

  • The electrical signal does not start in the right place
  • The electrical signal does not follow the right path as it spreads across the heart

Why is the heartbeat abnormal in WPW syndrome? " пїЅ The heartbeat can be abnormal in WPW syndrome, because people with WPW syndrome have an abnormal extra path in the heart. When the electrical signal follows the abnormal extra path, the heart can beat at a rate that is much faster than normal. пїЅ пїЅ

Some people have an abnormal extra path in their heart, but they do not have a fast heartbeat. These people do not have any symptoms and do not have WPW syndrome. Instead, they have a "WPW pattern. " пїЅ These people usually do not need treatment. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of WPW syndrome? " пїЅ People with WPW syndrome can have symptoms that include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Feeling their heart beating too fast
  • Feeling dizzy or light-headed
  • Fainting

Most people with WPW syndrome do not have any other heart problems, but some do. People with WPW syndrome who have other heart problems can have more serious symptoms. These include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing

WPW syndrome can be life-threatening, because it can cause sudden death. But this is rare. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for WPW syndrome? " пїЅ Yes. Doctors can diagnose WPW syndrome by doing a test called an "electrocardiogram " пїЅ (ECG). An ECG measures the electrical activity in the heart. It can show if a person has an abnormal heart rhythm or rate. пїЅ пїЅ

Sometimes, a doctor will do another procedure to figure out where the extra path is and if it needs to be treated. пїЅ пїЅ

How is WPW syndrome treated? " пїЅ WPW syndrome is treated in different ways. Some treatments can stop episodes of fast heartbeats. Other treatments can prevent episodes of fast heartbeats from happening in the future. пїЅ пїЅ

What treatments can stop a fast heartbeat? " пїЅ Treatments that can control a fast heartbeat include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • Actions " пїЅ Actions that people can do themselves include:Coughing or "bearing down " пїЅ " пїЅ Bearing down is when a person tightens his or her belly as if he or she is trying to have a bowel movement.Pressing on and massaging the main artery on the side of the neck
  • Medicines
  • A procedure called "cardioversion " пїЅ " пїЅ During cardioversion, a doctor gives a persons heart an electric shock to stop the fast heartbeat. This allows the heart to beat normally again.

What treatments can prevent future episodes of fast heartbeats? " пїЅ Treatments that can prevent future episodes of fast heartbeats include: пїЅ пїЅ

  • A procedure called "radiofrequency catheter ablation " пїЅ " пїЅ This procedure can stop the abnormal path from spreading the electrical signal. During the procedure, a doctor puts thin wires into the blood vessels in the groin (inner thigh) or another part of the body. He or she threads the wires up through the blood vessels and into the heart. Then he or she uses the wires to disconnect the abnormal path.
  • Medicines " пїЅ Some people need to take medicines every day.
  • Surgery " пїЅ A doctor can do surgery to disconnect the abnormal path in the heart. But radiofrequency catheter ablation is done far more often than surgery.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15669 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Copyright

пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ