Re: WOlfe Parkinson White Syndrome

Posted By CCF Cardio MD-SGM on October 07, 1997 at 17:29:20:

In Reply to: WOlfe Parkinson White Syndrome posted by Denise Loughran on October 07, 1997 at 00:43:26:







: Would appreciate more info on diagnosing this syndrome. My sympsotms include 2 episodes over 18 months apart of extremely fast, heavy and irregular hearbeat with shortness of breath and on one episode, lightheadedness. I do not consume alcohol or smoke. I am under little or no stress and have no history of heart problems in my family. I am 42 yrs of age and in good health otherwise. My doctor says I just suffered a couple of bouts of ventricular fibrillation with no known cause.  A resting EKG showed no irregularities. He prescribed Digoxin- ongoing.
A freind's husband died of Wolfe Parkinson syndrome at age 44 after beign given a very similar diagnosis and course of treatmeent as I just received. Any ideas:?



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Dear Denise,
WPW is a syndrome where tachycardia, or fast heart rates, occurs due to the presence of an accessory bypass tract.  This "bypass tract" is basically an unregulated detour through which impulses from the upper chamber of the heart, or atria, can travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles.  Many people with an accessory bypass tract go through life with no symptoms, but others commonly develop tachycardias that can cause lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, and palpitations.  Patients who have such symptoms should seek a diagnosis of the cause.  If the cause is indeed WPW, then good therapeutic strategies exist.
I'm not sure from your note if your doctor diagnosed you with WPW, or whether the cause of your "ventricular fibrillation" episodes is unknown.  Let me first say that ventricular fibrillation is a very serious condition, and should be treated with the utmost of care and caution.  If WPW precipitated this problem in your case, I believe that you should be evaluated for the definitive therapy for WPW, ablation of the bypass tract.  This is done via catheters that are placed in the heart through a small incision in the groin.  The procedure enjoys a low risk,  a high success rate, and most commonly results in a complete cure of WPW.  If you have chosen, upon the recommendations of your physician, to pursue medical therapy of this disorder, I would recommend that you be prescribed a beta-blocking medication in addition to digoxin, and not digoxin alone.  
I don't know the extent of the evaluation you've received for this problem, but want to reiterate that the symptoms and diagnoses you've mentioned are serious, but treatable... even curable.  One of our electrophysiologists at the Cleveland Clinic would be happy to see you and evaluate this condition.  An appointment can be made by calling 1 800 CCF CARE.  
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).