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Diagnosis of Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome
I recently was treated in the ER after an onset of SVT. I had a previous episode 15 years ago and have had occasional episodes of rapid heartrate that always resolved after a short time without any kind of treatment. This time I was given Adenosine with "instant" results. After seeing my internal med doctor he has referred me to a cardiologist because he thinks there is a "delta wave" on the 12lead EKG and wants to have Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome ruled out. My question is what kind of work-up should I expect, and if the rapid heartrate reoccurs should I go immediately to an ER or can it resolve without treatment. I waited 15 minutes before walking to the ER and was in SVT for about a total of 35-40 minutes before converting. Do I risk permanent damage if there are prolonged runs of SVT?
thanks
thanks
I'm a basketball player too. It was back to my high school years. I'm not playing now because my family member didn't add up enough to form a team!
I was playing basketball during my svt! I just continued without stopping it. With the help of medication, it didn't cause pain at all. I had my first episole at 6 yrs old. Following with one episole per year until I was 15 years old. Then I was spend 2 weeks at the hospital. Now all the doctors want me to exercise... work hard to get sweaty. I had the his bundle ablation and I'm still having a very active accessory pathway. I've a pacemaker too and it is my number 4. I don't have to take medication now.
Don't forget to post your 24 hours holter reports here. I had few ep studies in one week after the ablation. Also have 2 holter monitors after the first or second check up. Last year I had one 24 hours holter done. Get a report so we can compare in here. Take care.
I was playing basketball during my svt! I just continued without stopping it. With the help of medication, it didn't cause pain at all. I had my first episole at 6 yrs old. Following with one episole per year until I was 15 years old. Then I was spend 2 weeks at the hospital. Now all the doctors want me to exercise... work hard to get sweaty. I had the his bundle ablation and I'm still having a very active accessory pathway. I've a pacemaker too and it is my number 4. I don't have to take medication now.
Don't forget to post your 24 hours holter reports here. I had few ep studies in one week after the ablation. Also have 2 holter monitors after the first or second check up. Last year I had one 24 hours holter done. Get a report so we can compare in here. Take care.
my name Jamell im 17 and i play basketball division 1 mens and ive been out for almost half a year now because my doctor said i have Parkinson white syndrome i've already had the operation where they went through my leg to delete the pathway but now 2 months after my operation i'm still getting palpitations yesterday i had a 24 hours recorder on my heart and i manged to get three palpitations recorded .. i'm saying this because i've got a feeling that there going to turn around to me and say well something like u can not continue with basketball because we have to give you a pace maker or something and i was wondering if u could give me any idea about what you expect they will say if you could reach me either on Jammies_34***@**** or if i can remember to checkon this site leave me a comment thank you very much
Jamell
Jamell
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Michelle,
You will probably be asked to undergo an EP test where small catheters are placed in the heart and the electrical system is tested. If WPW is present it can be fixed with an ablation during the study. I would think you could wait 15 minutes before going to the ER. No permanent damage will occur with short duration (< several days) of SVT.
Here is some more information on WPW.
Wolff-Parkinson-White (named after the three doctors who first described it) is a hereditary condition. It may not be diagnosed until adolescence but the underlying cause is present at birth. Often nothing needs to be done about it but if it is causing any symptoms an ablation procedure can be done to cure WPW. More information concerning ablation may be found at: http://www.heartcenter.ccf.org:8080/patinfo/patguide/p_ablate.htm
Here are some common questions about WPW.
Q: What is the normal condition?
A:In a normal heart the atrio-ventricular or A-V node is the only path for electrical conduction between the atria and the ventricles .
Q: What is the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
A: If an abnormal conduction pathway runs between the atria and the ventricles, the electrical signal may arrive at the ventricles too soon. This condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (W.P.W.). It is recognized by characteristic changes on the electrocardiogram that indicate that an additional pathway or shortcut from the atria to the ventricles exists. Many patients with the syndrome do not have symptoms or episodes of tachycardia (rapid heart rhythm).
Q: First of all, what is the cause of WPW? Is it something you 'get' when you over exercise?
Is it genetically rooted?
A: WPW is a congenital condition. It is not induced by exercise or any other "strain" on the heart.
Q: How common, in the general population is WPW?
A: The incidence is about 1 in 1000.
Q: How is the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome treated?
A: If a person has episodes of tachycardia , often they can be controlled with simple drug treatment. However, sometimes such treatment doesn't work. Then the person will need to have further tests of the heart's electrical system. The procedure most frequently used to interrupt the abnormal pathway is radio frequency ablation. (http://www.heartcenter.ccf.org:8080/patinfo/patguide/p_ablate.htm)
Most patients with the syndrome can lead normal lives with no restrictions on their activities. This is true even for those who have episodes of tachycardia.
Q: How safe is the ablation? What are potential problems that may arise either during the ablation or afterwards?
A: Ablation is a routine procedure that uses high powered frequency waves to "burn" electrical short circuits in the heart. As with any medical procedure there are potential risks and your doctor should discuss these with you prior to the procedure.
Q: Is there any kind of a rating system for the doctors which perform this type of procedure, simply put are some doctors better than others at this procedure and how may I find out who is the best?
A: There are no rating systems per se of individual doctors. You can ask for success rates of the same procedure in other patients. There are ratings of hospitals that are published by independent groups such as US News and World Report that give a ranking of programs.
Q: How common is this procedure and how many are performed daily, weekly or yearly?
A: This is a routine procedure. The number will depend upon the individual group. The electrophysiology group here does 2 to3 ablations a day.
Q: Is it common for a cardiologist to recommend the ablation after only reviewing blood tests, and ekg, and an echo test of the heart?
A: Yes. The diagnosis of WPW is made from the EKG.
Q: I am currently taking the drug Diltiazem which seems to be controlling my heart problem. Therefore, if I were to postpone the ablation procedure could I possibly be putting myself in danger of further heart problems?
A: This would depend on your specific case and you should discuss this with your doctor.
Q: Are there famous celebrities or scientists, doctors, et
cetera, who have survived this infliction?
A: Not that I know of. Anyone out there know?
Further information can be found at:
http://www.heartcenter.ccf.org:8080/patinfo/patguide/p_ablate.htm
You will probably be asked to undergo an EP test where small catheters are placed in the heart and the electrical system is tested. If WPW is present it can be fixed with an ablation during the study. I would think you could wait 15 minutes before going to the ER. No permanent damage will occur with short duration (< several days) of SVT.
Here is some more information on WPW.
Wolff-Parkinson-White (named after the three doctors who first described it) is a hereditary condition. It may not be diagnosed until adolescence but the underlying cause is present at birth. Often nothing needs to be done about it but if it is causing any symptoms an ablation procedure can be done to cure WPW. More information concerning ablation may be found at: http://www.heartcenter.ccf.org:8080/patinfo/patguide/p_ablate.htm
Here are some common questions about WPW.
Q: What is the normal condition?
A:In a normal heart the atrio-ventricular or A-V node is the only path for electrical conduction between the atria and the ventricles .
Q: What is the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?
A: If an abnormal conduction pathway runs between the atria and the ventricles, the electrical signal may arrive at the ventricles too soon. This condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (W.P.W.). It is recognized by characteristic changes on the electrocardiogram that indicate that an additional pathway or shortcut from the atria to the ventricles exists. Many patients with the syndrome do not have symptoms or episodes of tachycardia (rapid heart rhythm).
Q: First of all, what is the cause of WPW? Is it something you 'get' when you over exercise?
Is it genetically rooted?
A: WPW is a congenital condition. It is not induced by exercise or any other "strain" on the heart.
Q: How common, in the general population is WPW?
A: The incidence is about 1 in 1000.
Q: How is the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome treated?
A: If a person has episodes of tachycardia , often they can be controlled with simple drug treatment. However, sometimes such treatment doesn't work. Then the person will need to have further tests of the heart's electrical system. The procedure most frequently used to interrupt the abnormal pathway is radio frequency ablation. (http://www.heartcenter.ccf.org:8080/patinfo/patguide/p_ablate.htm)
Most patients with the syndrome can lead normal lives with no restrictions on their activities. This is true even for those who have episodes of tachycardia.
Q: How safe is the ablation? What are potential problems that may arise either during the ablation or afterwards?
A: Ablation is a routine procedure that uses high powered frequency waves to "burn" electrical short circuits in the heart. As with any medical procedure there are potential risks and your doctor should discuss these with you prior to the procedure.
Q: Is there any kind of a rating system for the doctors which perform this type of procedure, simply put are some doctors better than others at this procedure and how may I find out who is the best?
A: There are no rating systems per se of individual doctors. You can ask for success rates of the same procedure in other patients. There are ratings of hospitals that are published by independent groups such as US News and World Report that give a ranking of programs.
Q: How common is this procedure and how many are performed daily, weekly or yearly?
A: This is a routine procedure. The number will depend upon the individual group. The electrophysiology group here does 2 to3 ablations a day.
Q: Is it common for a cardiologist to recommend the ablation after only reviewing blood tests, and ekg, and an echo test of the heart?
A: Yes. The diagnosis of WPW is made from the EKG.
Q: I am currently taking the drug Diltiazem which seems to be controlling my heart problem. Therefore, if I were to postpone the ablation procedure could I possibly be putting myself in danger of further heart problems?
A: This would depend on your specific case and you should discuss this with your doctor.
Q: Are there famous celebrities or scientists, doctors, et
cetera, who have survived this infliction?
A: Not that I know of. Anyone out there know?
Further information can be found at:
http://www.heartcenter.ccf.org:8080/patinfo/patguide/p_ablate.htm
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