Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is an abnormal electrical connection (or bypass tract) between the atria and ventricles of the heart. The bypass tract allows electricity in the heart to travel abnormally fast and results in a very rapid heart rate (arrhythmia).
Symptoms of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome include the sense of feeling the heart beat rapidly (palpitations), light-headedness, fainting, and dizziness.
How often a person has an episode of rapid heart rate varies. A person may have rare episodes of rapid heart rate, episodes once or twice a week, or may never have symptoms. Doctors can often diagnose Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome by using an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG).
Treatment for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome usually is medication to control or prevent rapid heart beating. A doctor may recommend a nonsurgical procedure called catheter ablation, in which a thin flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein in the groin and threaded into the heart. Then an attachment sends out energy, creating heat, which damages the areas of heart muscle that are passing electrical signals to the heart.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
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