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Many people with WPW have episodes of rapid heart rates
(supraventricular tachycardia or
SVT), although some people never
have this problem. In the latter case, the condition is often
discovered accidentally when a physician is reviewing an
electrocardiogram
requested for some other purpose.
Regardless of whether a patient has SVT,
however, there is also a risk of more dangerous heart rhythm
problems beginning later in life. WPW can sometimes go away on its
own over time, although this probably rarely happens after 3-4 years
of age.
How is it treated?
In patients with SVT, this arrhythmia can often be treated with
simple maneuvers or in some cases with medications (see
SVT). If
SVT is very difficult to manage, it is possible to eliminate WPW
with a procedure called catheter-directed radio-frequency ablation (RFA).
In this procedure a flexible tube called a catheter is guided to the
bypass tract, then that tissue is destroyed with radiofrequency
energy. In children over 4-5 years of age, in whom it is not likely
that the bypass tract will go away over time, it is often considered
prudent to perform catheter-directed radio-frequency ablation to
eliminate the lifetime risk of other dangerous heart rhythm problems
even if the patient does not have SVT. The decision whether to
proceed with RFA is usually made in consultation with a Cardiac
Electrophysiologist, a medical specialist who is expert in heart
rhythm problems.
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4785
A good staring place for non-medical people
MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/wolff-parkinson-white_syndrome/article.htm
A good, detailed overview for non-medical people
eMedicine
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic644.htm
A technical discussion written for medical professionals, but rich
in general information. |
