$Unique_ID{BRK00703}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What is Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome?}
$Subject{Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome heart beat Circulatory anomalous
atrioventricular excitation electrocardiogram paroxysmal tachycardia
congenital inherited hereditary Wolfe Parkinson White propranolol procainamide}
$Volume{G-3}
$Log{
Arrhythmias:  Atrial Fibrillation*0001402.scf
Arrhythmias:  Paroxysmal Tachycardia*0001404.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  I am a 58 year old female.  My doctor tells me I have something
called Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome.  Could you explain this for me, please,
and also tell me how it will affect me?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  It is amazing how many clinical practitioners retain the use of such
names for medical conditions, but perhaps it is understandable when you know
that the descriptive name for your condition is "anomalous atrioventricular
excitation".  That is not much help either in trying to understand the meaning
of a condition, which in many people provokes no symptoms.  The diagnosis is
made by examining an electrocardiogram, which may have been taken during a
routine annual examination or used to seek an explanation for an episode of
rapid heart beat (paroxysmal tachycardia) which can occur in about 10% of
people with this condition.  Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) is the
result of a congenital variation in the heart conduction system.  Instead of
the impulses passing through a junction point in the system, called the A-V
node, they by pass this control by using a second conduction pathway, not
usually present in most people, and arrive at the ventricle of the heart
before the normal impulses.  This can provoke the abnormal beating of the
heart.  Usually these episodes resolve by themselves, and the condition is
considered benign.  When these abnormal rhythms continue, medication such as
propranolol or procainamide can be used.  When the presence of another
abnormal beat, atrial fibrillation, complicates the treatment of the disease,
an operation to cut the abnormal pathway may be considered.  However, the odds
are all in your favor, with the chances being that this condition may never
cause you any inconvenience at all.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.