WPWoireyhtymässä

WPWoirehtymä, also known as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, is a cardiac condition characterized by the presence of an abnormal electrical pathway in the heart. This extra pathway, known as an accessory pathway, allows electrical impulses to bypass the normal conduction system, leading to a faster than usual heart rate. In most individuals, the heart's electrical system has a natural delay at the atrioventricular (AV) node, which is crucial for coordinating the contraction of the atria and ventricles. However, in WPW syndrome, the accessory pathway lacks this delay.

The most common symptom of WPW syndrome is paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), a sudden and rapid heartbeat that can start and stop abruptly. Other symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and in rare cases, fainting or chest pain. Some individuals with WPW syndrome may experience no symptoms at all and the condition may be discovered incidentally during an electrocardiogram (ECG). The ECG findings characteristic of WPW syndrome include a short PR interval and a delta wave, which are indicative of the early ventricular activation through the accessory pathway.

The exact cause of WPW syndrome is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a congenital condition, meaning it is present at birth. While most cases are isolated, WPW syndrome can sometimes be associated with other congenital heart defects. Diagnosis is typically made through an ECG, which can detect the characteristic abnormalities. Electrophysiology study (EPS) is often used to confirm the presence and location of the accessory pathway and to assess the risk of dangerous arrhythmias.

Treatment for WPW syndrome depends on the presence and severity of symptoms. For asymptomatic individuals, observation may be sufficient. For those with symptomatic arrhythmias, treatment options include medications to control heart rate and rhythm, such as beta-blockers or antiarrhythmic drugs. In some cases, catheter ablation, a procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to destroy the accessory pathway, is the preferred treatment to eliminate the source of the abnormal electrical signals.