$Unique_ID{BRK00703}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases, Circulatory System}
$Title{What is Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome?}
$Subject{Wolfe-Parkinson-White heart beat}
$Volume{N-3, G-3}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome?


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QUESTION:  I am a 58 year old female.  My doctor tells me I have something
called Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome.  Could you please explain this for me,
please, and also tell me how it will affect me?

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ANSWER:  It is amazing how many clinical practitioners retain the use of such
names for medical conditions, but perhaps it is understandable when you know
that the descriptive name for your condition is "anomalous atrioventricular
excitation".  That is not much help either in trying to understand a the
meaning of a condition, which in many people, provokes no symptoms.  The
diagnosis is made by examining an electrocardiogram, which may have been taken
during a routine annual examination, or used to seek an explanation for an
episode of rapid heart beat (paroxysmal tachycardia) which can occur in about
10% of people with this condition.  Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW) is
the result of a congenital variation in the heart conduction system.  Instead
of the impulses passing through a junction point in the system called the A-V
node, they by pass this control, by using a second conduction pathway, not
usually present in most people, and arrive at the ventricle of the heart
before the normal impulses.  This can provoke the abnormal beating of the
heart.  Usually these episodes resolve by themselves, and the condition is
considered benign.  When these abnormal rhythms continue, medication such as
propanylol or procainamide can be used.  When the presence of another abnormal
beat, atrial fibrillation complicates the treatment of the disease, an
operation to cut the abnormal pathway may be considered.  However, the odds
are all in your favor, with the chances being that this condition may never
cause you any inconvenience at all.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
