How do you identify Wolff Parkinson White on ECG?

The typical ECG finding of WPW is a short PR interval and a “delta wave. “ A delta wave is slurring of the upstroke of the QRS complex.

Can WPW be missed on ECG?

Although both symptomatic and asymptomatic WPW patients are prone to developing life-threatening arrhythmias such as VF, asymptomatic patients can remain undetected and therefore may miss the chance for intervention. Alarmingly, up to 50% of WPW patients presenting with cardiac arrest had previously been asymptomatic.

What is Wolff Parkinson White pattern?

In Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, an extra electrical pathway between your heart’s upper chambers and lower chambers causes a rapid heartbeat. In Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, an extra signaling pathway between the heart’s upper and lower chambers causes a fast heartbeat (tachycardia).

What is the difference between SVT and Wolff Parkinson White?

What is SVT? Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) refers to a group of abnormal fast heart rhythms that arise because of a problem involving the upper chambers of the heart. WPW is short for Wolf-Parkinson White syndrome which is a special form of SVT.

Why is QRS wide in WPW?

The QRS interval is widened because the ventricles are initially activated via the AP, which lies outside the normal conducting system, producing an early, albeit relatively slow, initial propagation of depolarization forces through the ventricular tissue. This produces the delta wave.

Does WPW always have short PR?

Classic electrocardiogram (ECG) findings of WPW include short PR interval, slurred upstroke of the QRS complex, and prolonged QRS duration. However, in intermittent preexcitation, a rare variant in contrast to continuous preexcitation, these findings are not always present, thus masking a diagnosis of WPW syndrome.

When is Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome diagnosed?

WPW syndrome is diagnosed when this WPW pattern is seen on ECG and you have symptoms or documentation of an arrhythmia involving this extra pathway. Other tests may include: Conducting an ECG as you walk on a treadmill (stress test)

Is WPW considered heart disease?

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a rare congenital heart disorder involving irregularities in the electrical system of the heart.

What is the difference between WPW and atrial fibrillation?

In Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, antegrade conduction occurs over an accessory pathway. If atrial fibrillation, develops this is a medical emergency as very rapid ventricular rates can develop. and Atrial Fibrillation. Symptoms include palpitations and sometimes weakness, effort intolerance, dyspnea, and presyncope.

Is WPW serious?

WPW is not a dangerous disease for most people. You can manage or correct the condition with treatment. The biggest risk is for sudden death from a heart attack, which tachycardia can cause. However, this is extremely rare, occurring in less than one-half of 1 percent of cases.

Is WPW narrow or broad complex?

Definition of WPW syndrome Orthodromic AVRTs account for most tachycardias in WPW syndrome (70%). Conduction occurs down the AVN and retrogradely up the accessory pathway producing a narrow complex tachycardia (fig 4B).