Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Last updated 19 Sept 2024
Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines
- DownloadDownload
- Share
- Language
- Discussion
- Audio Version
- Add to preferred sources on Google
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a condition characterised by abnormal electrical pathways in the heart that cause a disruption of the heart's normal rhythm (arrhythmia).
Description
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a condition characterised by abnormal electrical pathways in the heart that cause a disruption of the heart's normal rhythm (arrhythmia).
The heartbeat is controlled by electrical signals that move through the heart in a highly coordinated way. A specialized cluster of cells called the atrioventricular node conducts electrical impulses from the heart's upper chambers (the atria) to the lower chambers (the ventricles). Impulses move through the atrioventricular node during each heartbeat, stimulating the ventricles to contract slightly later than the atria.
People with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome are born with an extra connection in the heart, called an accessory pathway, that allows electrical signals to bypass the atrioventricular node and move from the atria to the ventricles faster than usual. The accessory pathway may also transmit electrical impulses abnormally from the ventricles back to the atria. This extra connection can disrupt the coordinated movement of electrical signals through the heart, leading to an abnormally fast heartbeat (tachycardia) and other changes in heart rhythm. Resulting symptoms include dizziness, a sensation of fluttering or pounding in the chest (palpitations), shortness of breath, and fainting (syncope). In rare cases, arrhythmias associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can lead to cardiac arrest and sudden death. The most common arrhythmia associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
Complications of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can occur at any age, although some individuals born with an accessory pathway in the heart never experience any health problems associated with the condition.
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome often occurs with other structural abnormalities of the heart or underlying heart disease. The most common heart defect associated with the condition is Ebstein anomaly, which affects the valve that allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle (the tricuspid valve). Additionally, the heart rhythm problems associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can be a component of several other genetic syndromes, including hypokalemic periodic paralysis (a condition that causes episodes of extreme muscle weakness), Pompe disease (a disorder characterised by the storage of excess glycogen), Danon disease (a condition that weakens the heart and skeletal muscles and causes intellectual disability), and tuberous sclerosis complex (a condition that results in the growth of noncancerous tumours in many parts of the body).
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Autosomal dominant. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
Ventricular pre-excitation with arrhythmia
WPW Syndrome
Related patient information and medicines
Patient information leaflet
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is not common but can cause a fast heart rate or other heart rhythm abnormalities from time to time. Treatment can be given for the fast heart rate and also to prevent any further episodes. What is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. In Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome there is an extra connection (an accessory.
Patient information leaflet
Cervical rib
About 1 in 100 people are born with an extra rib called a cervical rib. About 1 in 10 people who have a cervical rib develop thoracic outlet syndrome. This happens if the cervical rib squashes the nerves and blood vessels going into the arm. The brachial plexus, a group of nerves passing from your neck to your arm, passes through the thoracic.
Patient information leaflet
Parkinson's disease
The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are usually stiffness, shaking (tremor), and slowness of movement. People with Parkinson's may also develop other symptoms (listed below). What is Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological degeneration of certain cells (called dopaminergic cells) within a specific part of the.
Patient information leaflet
Hypermobility spectrum disorders
Hypermobility spectrum disorders include all people with what used to be called joint hypermobility syndrome, and before that benign joint hypermobility syndrome. Hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSDs) are a group of conditions that involve joint hypermobility (increased range of motion in the joints, sometimes referred to as "loose joints") and.
Patient information leaflet
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of conditions that affect the stretchiness and strength of supporting tissues in the body, including skin, joints, blood vessels and internal organs. What are the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. The Ehlers Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of conditions which are usually (although not always) inherited from.
Patient information leaflet
Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome
Fetal anticonvulsant syndrome (FACS) - also known as fetal valproate syndrome and fetal hydantoin syndrome - is a group of malformations that can affect some babies if they are exposed to certain medicines known as antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) while in the womb. Most women with epilepsy will have a healthy child. Women with epilepsy who are pregnant.
Further reading and references
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Al-Khatib SM, Pritchett EL. Clinical features of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Am Heart J. 1999 Sep;138(3 Pt 1):403-13. doi: 10.1016/s0002-8703(99)70140-7.
- Benson DW, Cohen MI. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: lessons learnt and lessons remaining. Cardiol Young. 2017 Jan;27(S1):S62-S67. doi: 10.1017/S1047951116002250.
- Gollob MH, Green MS, Tang AS, Gollob T, Karibe A, Ali Hassan AS, Ahmad F, Lozado R, Shah G, Fananapazir L, Bachinski LL, Roberts R. Identification of a gene responsible for familial Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2001 Jun 14;344(24):1823-31. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200106143442403.
- Light PE. Familial Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: a disease of glycogen storage or ion channel dysfunction? J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2006 May;17 Suppl 1:S158-S161. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2006.00399.x.
- Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES); Heart Rhythm Society (HRS); American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF); American Heart Association (AHA); American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); Canadian Heart Rhythm Society (CHRS); Cohen MI, Triedman JK, Cannon BC, Davis AM, Drago F, Janousek J, Klein GJ, Law IH, Morady FJ, Paul T, Perry JC, Sanatani S, Tanel RE. PACES/HRS expert consensus statement on the management of the asymptomatic young patient with a Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW, ventricular preexcitation) electrocardiographic pattern: developed in partnership between the Pediatric and Congenital Electrophysiology Society (PACES) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS). Endorsed by the governing bodies of PACES, HRS, the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society (CHRS). Heart Rhythm. 2012 Jun;9(6):1006-24. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.03.050. Epub 2012 May 10. No abstract available.
- Valderrama AL. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: essentials for the primary care nurse practitioner. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2004 Sep;16(9):378-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2004.tb00387.x.
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts or experiences with others in our patient communities.
Ask, share, connect.
Browse discussions, ask questions, and share experiences across hundreds of health topics.
Sign up to the Patient newsletter
Your weekly dose of clear, trustworthy health advice - written to help you feel informed, confident and in control.
By subscribing you accept our Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. We never sell your data.