What is Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW)?

Description of the disease

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) is a rare congenital condition associated with the presence of an extra pathway for electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles of the heart.

Classification

• Type A: accompanied by rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• Type B: not accompanied by rapid heart rate

Symptoms

Possible symptoms of WPW include sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeats, palpitations, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and in some cases, fainting.

Causes

The onset of WPW is usually caused by the presence of an additional electrical pathway in the heart, which is not characteristic of the normal heart structure.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests for WPW include ECG, echocardiography, exercise stress tests, and others.

Treatment

Treatment for WPW includes medication therapy, ablation procedures, and in some cases, surgical intervention.

Prevention

Prevention of WPW involves avoiding factors that contribute to the development of heart diseases, and regular monitoring of heart health.

Physician

Treatment and monitoring of patients with WPW is usually conducted by a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist.