cardiovascular

Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome

Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPWS) is a disorder due to a specific type of problem with the electrical system of the heart involving an accessory pathway able to conduct electrical current between the atria and the ventricles, thus bypassing the atrioventricular node. About 60% of people with the electrical problem develop symptoms, which may include an abnormally fast heartbeat, , shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or syncope. Rarely, may occur. The most common type of arrhythmia associated with WPWS is paroxysmal supraventricular .

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Symptoms — what it feels like

·Abnormally fast heartbeat, , shortness of breath, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness

Causes — why it happens

·Accessory pathway in the heart

How it's found

· shows a short PR interval and a wide QRS complex from a delta wave

Treatment

·Watchful waiting, medications, radiofrequency catheter ablation

Complications

·, , sudden death

Outlook

·Without symptoms 0.5% (children), 0.1% (adults) risk of death per year

More in Heart

Coronary artery disease Heart failure Arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation)Cardiomyopathy Heart valve disease Rheumatic heart disease Congenital heart defect Heart attack Cardiac arrest Myocarditis Aortic stenosis Long QT syndrome

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Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.