WPW Syndrome: Review of the Evidence

Patients with WPW syndrome are potentially at risk for ventricular arrhythmias due to conduction in the lateral passageway, resulting in very rapid ventricular depolarization if an atrial fibrillation or atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs. In patients with prognostic AF, electrophysiological studies of the heart and radiofrequency ablation (RF) may be treated. The cause of SCD in WPW syndrome is the rapid transfer of AF to the ventricles via AP, which causes ventricular fibrillation (VF). AF develops in one-fifth to one-third of patients with WPW syndrome; The reasons for this and the impact of AP on its development are not clear. Only a small percentage of patients with WPW syndrome (less than 1%) are at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). The heart drug, digoxin, is contraindicated in adults with WPW syndrome. However, it is sometimes used to prevent the treatment of infants with WPW syndrome who do not have a ventricle before pregnancy. Some medications, such as verapamil, may increase the risk of ventricular fibrillation and should be used with caution.