Key result
Among 541 participants with ventricular pre-excitation, radiofrequency ablation was the first long-term therapy for 88% overall, but <30% in western and central Africa (p<0.001).
Why the study?
Data are scarce regarding WPW syndrome and asymptomatic pre-excitation in Africa, prompting an evaluation of current diagnostic and management approaches across the continent.
Observational (n=541)
Yes
There are significant regional variations in the management of WPW syndrome across Africa, with Northern and Southern regions utilizing more advanced invasive treatments like radiofrequency ablation compared to Western and Central Africa.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Regional disparities limit equitable WPW ablation access across Africa; leaves open questions on standardized strategies pending targeted investments.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Data are scarce regarding Wolf-Parkinson White Syndrome (WPW) syndrome and asymptomatic pre-excitation in Africa. This study tried to understand the current approaches utilized in Africa for the diagnosis and management of both symptomatic and asymptomatic ventricular pre-excitation. METHODS: The current prospective study was conducted in 20 centers located in 17 countries spanning all areas of Africa. Participants included had ventricular pre-excitation patterns. The data collected included symptoms, locations of accessory pathways (AP) and tachyarrhythmia, risk stratification, as well as acute and long-term management. In addition, we assessed the clinical effectiveness of the centers and the impact of socioeconomic and health metrics on these treatment approaches. RESULTS: Among 541 participants, 93% were diagnosed with WPW syndrome, with orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) being the most prevalent arrhythmia, affecting 55% of the cases. Approximately 30% of patients in Africa, except for the southern region, received intravenous amiodarone as the first-choice drug for orthodromic AVRT while adenosine was the drug of choice in the Southern region. Electrical cardioversion was the first-line treatment for pre-excited atrial fibrillation and antidromic AVRT across all of Africa. Radiofrequency ablation (RF) was the first long-term therapy option for 88% of patients in all African regions, unlike western and central Africa where it was implemented for less than 30% of patients (p < 0.001). The rates of RF success, long-term recurrence, and complications were 93%, 4.1%, and 3.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There are significant variations between African regions in terms of diagnostic workup, accessory pathway localizations, and volume of invasive treatment. Countries in Northern and Southern Africa are more advanced than other African countries in terms of modern management strategy. Additional government investments are necessary to enhance diagnostic likelihood and curative treatments as well as to reduce the gap between different regions in Africa.
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Allam et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Wolf-Parkinson White Syndrome and asymptomatic pre-excitation (n=541). Management strategies for ventricular pre-excitation was evaluated on Current approaches utilized for the diagnosis and management of symptomatic and asymptomatic ventricular pre-excitation. Among 541 participants with ventricular pre-excitation, radiofrequency ablation was the first long-term therapy for 88% overall, but <30% in western and central Africa (p<0.001).
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