What is Wolff (Wolfe)-Parkinson-White Syndrome?
Wolff (Wolfe)-Parkinson-White (WPW) is a very rare cause of sudden death. It results from an additional electrical connection between the atria (upper chambers of the heart) and the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart). This extra or accessory electrical pathway is present in approximately 1.5 per 1,000 people. It runs in families in less than 1% of cases. In the majority it is completely silent and only detected on a routine ECG. In a small proportion of patients the extra electrical pathway allows conduction of the electrical pathway generating an electrical circuit which produces a very rapid heart rate. Most patients tolerate this well but some experience very troublesome palpitations, light-headedness and blackouts. A very small minority of patients may die suddenly from ventricular fibrillation. Synonyms of Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome: Accessory Atrioventricular Pathways Preexcitation Syndrome WPW Syndrome What is the heart’s normal condition? In a normal heart, electrical
