Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome is a rare congenital heart rhythm disorder that can lead to serious health complications. This syndrome occurs due to premature excitation of part of the ventricular myocardium, which does not depend on the normal system of conduction of excitation in the heart.

Premature excitation is carried out from the atrium to the ventricle through a special Kent conduction bundle. This bundle provides an additional pathway through which an electrical impulse can travel from the atrium to the ventricle. During normal heart function, this bundle is not used, but in the presence of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, it can play the role of an additional conductor, causing premature excitation of the ventricles.

One of the main symptoms of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is the appearance of an abnormal wave, called a delta wave, at the beginning of the QRS complex on the electrocardiogram. This wave occurs due to a delay in excitation in the ventricular myocardium caused by the use of an additional conductor - the Kent bundle.

In addition to delta waves, patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome may have other symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, fainting, and even atrial fibrillation. The incidence of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is about 0.1-0.3% of the population.

Electrocardiography (ECG) is used to diagnose Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. If the ECG detects a delta wave, then additional studies are performed, such as an electrophysiological study of the heart. This allows you to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the need for treatment.

Treatment for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome may include drug therapy, antiarrhythmic drugs, and Kent bundle ablation. When performing Kent's bundle ablation, special equipment is used to destroy the additional conductor and restore normal heart function.

Thus, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a serious heart rhythm disorder that can lead to serious complications. Early detection and treatment of this syndrome can prevent serious consequences and improve the quality of life of patients.

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: Congenital heart rhythm disorder

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) is a congenital heart rhythm disorder characterized by an abnormality in the intraventricular propagation of excitation. This syndrome occurs due to premature excitation of part of the ventricular myocardium, which does not depend on the normal excitation conduction system.

One of the features of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is the presence of a special conducting bundle called the bundle of Kent. Premature excitation from the atrium to the ventricle is carried out precisely along this bundle. The result is premature excitation of one of the ventricles, which appears on the electrocardiogram as an abnormal wave known as a delta wave. The delta wave is observed at the beginning of the QRS complex.

This syndrome is usually discovered in early childhood or young adulthood, although some patients may not show symptoms until adulthood. However, despite the presence of abnormalities in the heart rhythm, most patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome do not experience serious health problems and can lead normal lives.

However, some patients with WPW may have an increased risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular fibrillation. In some cases, these arrhythmias can be serious and require medical attention. Therefore, it is important to diagnose Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and monitor the heart rhythm status of patients.

To diagnose Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, electrocardiography (ECG) is used, which can detect the presence of a delta wave in the QRS complex. Additional research methods, such as cardiac electrophysiology, can be used to more accurately assess the state of the heart rhythm and determine the risk of arrhythmias.

Treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome depends on clinical manifestations and the risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias. Patients with minimal symptoms and low risk of arrhythmias may not require specific treatment. In some cases where the risk of arrhythmias is increased, the following treatment approaches may be recommended:

1. Drug therapy: In some cases, antiarrhythmic drugs, such as antiarrhythmic drugs or beta blockers, may be prescribed to control the heart rhythm and prevent arrhythmias.

2. Catheter ablation: This is a procedure that is performed using a catheter inserted through blood vessels into the heart. The goal of ablation is to destroy or block the bundle of Kent to prevent premature excitation of the ventricles. Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and can significantly reduce the risk of arrhythmias.

3. Surgery: In rare cases, when other treatments are ineffective or unavailable, surgery may be required. One possible option is surgical removal of the Kent bundle.

It is important to note that each case of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is individual, and treatment should be prescribed by a doctor based on the clinical picture and the risk of developing arrhythmias.

Most patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can lead normal active lives without limitations, especially if the risk of arrhythmias is low. However, regular monitoring by a cardiologist and adherence to recommendations for the treatment and prevention of cardiac arrhythmias are important aspects of caring for patients with this syndrome.

In conclusion, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a congenital heart rhythm disorder characterized by an abnormality of intraventricular propagation of excitation. Diagnosis of the syndrome is based on electrocardiographic signs, including the presence of a delta wave in the QRS complex. Treatment may include drug therapy, catheter ablation, and in some cases surgery. Regular monitoring by a cardiologist and adherence to treatment recommendations will help patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome live a full life and reduce the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW)

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or WolffARKINSON WHITE syndrome (ICD 10 code: I45.6) is a congenital disease characterized by a high-frequency pulse (over 140 beats/min). It is also called **additional function of the pacemaker**, which consists in the occurrence of a pathological wave in the area of ​​the heart ventricle. During its formation, the electrical impulse moves along the conducting tissue (ventriculoatrial), responsible for regulating heart contractions. The consequences of impaired heart function can be dangerous. Death can be avoided only with timely diagnosis and treatment. Causes of WPW syndrome

Most often, the occurrence of pathology is the result of incompatible genetic abnormalities that affect the process of moving electrical impulses through the heart. **The syndrome itself has 2 main sources:** * damage to the chord of ventricular tissue, which occurs as a consequence of a genetic failure; rupture, kinks, deformations of the interatrial-ventricular septum. **Also, the following reasons lead to the disease:** * a change in the gene encoding the activation of the potassium group receptor, which is responsible for the occurrence of a nerve impulse (aberrant transporter); * formation of specific mutations on organelles (ribosomes) of neuronal fibers; * epigenetic effects that occur against the background of the transfer of dopamine into DNA cells, changing the functioning of chromosomes.

The diagnosis can be made as early as 7-8 weeks of pregnancy. Also, the appearance of the disease is most often facilitated by injuries and deformations of the chest in early childhood, surgical interventions on the heart in later years - 5-15 years, as well as poisoning with heavy metals, including lead.

Diagnostics

Various methods are used to identify the disease, but the most reliable and informative is ECG analysis. Additionally, the patient is recommended to undergo ultrasound screening to examine the structure of the heart. In the image, the specialist determines the degree of organ damage and the presence of additional tumors. An echocardiogram allows you to evaluate the size and anatomy of the heart, detect defects, pathologies of the heart valves, and irregular heartbeat.