Anatom3DWolff–Parkinson–White syndrome
Syndroma Wolff–Parkinson–White (praeexcitatio) · Syndrom Wolffův–Parkinsonův–Whiteův
What it is
An extra electrical pathway between atria and ventricles, present from birth, that lets the heart race in sudden bursts — rarely, dangerously.
Symptoms & signs
- Sudden fast palpitations that start and stop abruptly
- dizziness or fainting
- breathlessness or chest discomfort
- often found on a routine ECG
🚩 Get help if…
- call 112 / 911 now Fainting or near fainting with a racing heart
- call 112 / 911 now Chest pain or breathlessness with palpitations
- see a doctor soon Racing heart that does not settle within minutes
- see a doctor soon Palpitations during exercise
Where it strikes
Medical treatment
- ECG showing a delta wave
- vagal manoeuvres and adenosine for attacks
- catheter ablation of the pathway (usually curative)
- avoid AV-node blockers if AF with WPW
Natural & lifestyle
- Learn vagal manoeuvres
- limit stimulants
- screening of relatives if sudden death in the family
Emerging & experimental
- High-density mapping
- cryoablation near the AV node
Alternative, off-label & anecdotal
Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.
- Modified Valsalva manoeuvre (legs raised) — a trial doubled how often attacks stopped trials support
- Magnesium supplements — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional
- Avoiding caffeine — anecdotal; studies find little link anecdotal / traditional
ICD codes
- ICD-10 I45.6
- ICD-11 BC81.4 Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome