Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome is a heart condition that affects the electrical system controlling the heartbeat. It involves an extra electrical pathway between the heart's upper and lower chambers, which can cause the heart to beat very fast or irregularly. This abnormal rhythm is called a supraventricular tachycardia and can lead to symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or fainting. The condition primarily affects the cardiovascular system and can sometimes increase the risk of more serious heart rhythm problems. People with this syndrome may experience episodes that start and stop suddenly. The extra pathway allows electrical signals to bypass the normal route, disrupting the heart's normal rhythm.

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome is a cardiac conduction disorder characterized by the presence of an accessory atrioventricular pathway (the bundle of Kent) that bypasses the normal AV node conduction delay. This leads to pre-excitation of the ventricles and predisposes to reentrant tachyarrhythmias, most commonly atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT). The syndrome is usually congenital and results from incomplete fibrous insulation between atria and ventricles. The hallmark ECG findings include a short PR interval, a delta wave (slurred upstroke of the QRS complex), and a widened QRS complex. Clinically, it is significant because it can cause symptomatic tachycardia, syncope, or rarely sudden cardiac death due to rapid conduction of atrial fibrillation through the accessory pathway. Diagnosis and management focus on identifying the accessory pathway and preventing arrhythmia complications.