Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Alternative names:

preexcitation syndrome; WPW

Symptoms:

• palpitations (sensation of feeling heart beat)
• light headedness
• fainting
• dizziness
• shortness of breath
• chest pain or chest tightness

Note: There may be no symptoms; if symptoms are present they may progressively increase in frequency or severity:

Signs and tests:

An examination will reveal a heart rate greater that 150 (normal is 60 to 100 beats per minute), and blood pressure is normal or low.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome may be evident in the following tests:

• ECG (electrocardiogram) looking for a finding called a "delta wave"
• continuous ambulatory monitoring (Holter monitor)
• EPS: intracardiac electrophysiology study showing the accessory pathway