WPWoirehtymä

WPWoirehtymä, also known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, is a cardiac condition characterized by an electrical abnormality in the heart. This abnormality involves the presence of an extra electrical pathway between the atria and ventricles of the heart. Normally, electrical impulses travel from the atria to the ventricles through a specific pathway called the atrioventricular (AV) node, which helps regulate the heart's rhythm. In WPWoirehtymä, the accessory pathway bypasses the AV node, allowing electrical impulses to travel too quickly.

This can lead to episodes of rapid heart rate, known as supraventricular tachycardia. Symptoms can include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and in some cases, fainting. The syndrome is often present from birth, though it may not be diagnosed until later in life. While many individuals with WPWoirehtymä have no symptoms, the risk of experiencing a rapid heartbeat or, more rarely, a life-threatening arrhythmia exists.

Diagnosis typically involves an electrocardiogram (ECG), which can reveal characteristic patterns indicating the presence of the accessory pathway. Electrophysiology studies, a more invasive procedure, may be used to further assess the electrical activity of the heart and pinpoint the exact location of the extra pathway. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of symptoms and the presence of other cardiac conditions. For asymptomatic individuals, observation may be sufficient. For those experiencing symptoms, medications to control heart rate or block the accessory pathway may be prescribed. In some cases, catheter ablation, a procedure that uses heat or cold to destroy the extra pathway, is a highly effective treatment option.