Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome (WPW)
![Fig 78 wpw](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Fig-78-wpw.webp)
Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome can cause a number of problems related to the heart's electrical activity, including:
![Fig 7 SVT](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fig-7-SVT.webp)
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
In people with WPW, the extra electrical pathway can become part of an electrical circuit causing rapid heartbeats, which may lead to symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, and dizziness.
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![Fig 81 AF](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fig-81-AF.webp)
Atrial fibrillation (AF)
WPW can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation in young patients. By eliminating the extra pathway, the risk of AF can be reduced in these patients.
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![Fig 31 defib](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Fig-31-defib.webp)
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Although very rare, WPW can also increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, which is a sudden loss of heart function that can be fatal if not treated immediately.
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![Fig 8 WPW](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Fig-8-WPW.webp)
The treatment of Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome depends on many factors but may include:
![heartbeat1](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/heartbeat1.gif)
Observation
When the pathway doesn’t cause symptoms and is considered to be low risk after careful assessment. The electrophysiologist may recommend observation without any treatment.
![medicine 1](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/medicine-1.gif)
Medications
If episodes of tachycardia are present and the patient is not suitable for ablation, antiarrhythmic drugs may be prescribed to control the heart rhythm.
![heartbeat1](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/heartbeat1.gif)
EP study and Ablation
Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that involves inserting a thin catheter through a blood vessel to the heart. The catheter is used to deliver radiofrequency energy to the extra electrical pathway, permanently eliminating the abnormal electrical connection. Catheter ablation has a very high success rate (>95%) in completely curing the problem with only minimal risks during the procedure.
![hepatectomy 1](https://www.theheart.ae/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hepatectomy-1.gif)
Surgery
In rare cases where medications and catheter ablation are not effective, open heart surgical intervention may be required to remove the extra electrical pathway.