An Overview on Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Abstract

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a congenital cardiac condition characterized by the presence of an accessory conduction pathway (known as the Bundle of Kent) that connects the atria and ventricles, bypassing the atrioventricular (AV) node. This abnormal pathway can lead to atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) and, less commonly, atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. WPW is typically identified on electrocardiogram (ECG) by three hallmark features: Short PR interval (<120 ms), Delta wave (slurred upstroke of the QRS complex) and Widened QRS complex (>110 ms). Although many patients remain asymptomatic, symptomatic cases may present with palpitations, dizziness, syncope, or sudden cardiac arrest (rare).Management may include vagal maneuvers, antiarrhythmic drugs (procainamide, flecainide, amiodarone in some contexts), catheter ablation of the accessory pathway, and avoidance of AV nodal blocking agents in atrial fibrillation (as these may worsen conduction through the accessory pathway).