Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome natural history
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]
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Complications
Complications of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome can occur at any age, although some individuals born with an accessory pathway in the heart never experience any health problems associated with the condition.
Possible complications include:
- Complications of surgery
- Reduced blood pressure (caused by continous rapid heart rate)
- Heart failure
- Side effects of medications
- Ventricular fibrillation: It may rapidly lead to shock, and requires emergency treatment (cardioversion).
Prognosis
Appropriately treated WPW syndrome has an excellent prognosis. Catheter ablation (radiofrequency ablation) cures this disorder in most patients. The success rate for the procedure ranges between 85 - 95%. Success rate will vary depending on location of accessory pathway and number of accessory pathways. Asymptomatic patients (Wolf-Parkinson-White pattern) have a very good prognosis.
Conditions associated with worse prognosis include:
- A family history of sudden cardiac death
- Significant symptoms of tachyarrhythmias
- Cardiac arrest
Even these patients with worse prognosis regain good prognosis with timely and appropriate treatment.