Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome EKG
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) pattern is characterized by the presence of characteristic ECG findings, such as a short PR interval and a delta wave. WPW syndrome is the occurrence of tachycardia with or without associated symptoms in a subject with existing WPW pattern.[1] Several types of arrhythmia can occur in WPW syndrome such as AV reentrant tachycardia (AVRT), atrial fibrillation,or atrial flutter, the most common of which is AVRT.[2] WPW syndrome can present as an orthodromic or antidromic AVRT during which the delta wave no longer appears. Atrial fibrillation in a patient with WPW should be suspected when there is ECG findings of an irregularly irregular rhythm and absent P waves suggestive of atrial fibrillation in the context of a heart rate higher than 220 beats per minute.
WPW Pattern
- WPW pattern is characterized by the following typical ECG findings:
- Short PR interval: The PR interval is short because the ventricles begins to contract earlier than usual because the electrical signal travels through the accessory pathway faster than the AV node.
- Wide QRS
- Presence of a delta wave
- Other findings that can be present in a subject with an accessory pathway include QRS alternans and ST segment depression.
Determining the location of the accessory pathway
| Check lead V1 | |||||
| Negative delta wave in V1 = right ventricle | Positive delta wave im V1= left ventricle | ||||
| Negative delta wave and QRS in II, III, AVF | Left axis | Inferior axis | Negative delta wave and QRS in II, III, AVF | Isoelectric or negative delta I, AVL, V5, V6 | |
| Posteroseptal | Right free wall | Anteroseptal | Posteroseptal | Lateral | |
WPW Syndrome
WPW syndrome is the occurrence of tachycardia with or without associated symptoms in a subject with existing WPW pattern.[3] Several types of arrhythmia can occur in WPW syndrome such as AV reentrant tachycardia (AVRT), atrial fibrillation,or atrial flutter, the most common of which is AVRT.[2]
Orthodromic AVRT
In orthodromic AVRT, the anterograde conduction (from the atrium to the ventricle) passes through the AV node and the retrograde conduction (from the ventricle to the atrium) passes through the accessory pathway. Orthodromic AVRT occurs in approximately 90 to 95% of WPW.
The EKG findings include:
- Regular rhythm
- Narrow QRS complexes
- Retrograde P wave following the QRS complex
Antidromic AVRT
The anterograde conduction (from the atrium to the ventricle) passes through the accessory pathway and the retrograde conduction (from the ventricle to the atrium) passes through the AV node. It apprears in less than 10% of WPW.
The EKG findings include:
- Regular rhythm
- Wide QRS complexes similar to that of ventricular tachycardia
Atrial Fibrillation in WPW
Atrial fibrillation in WPW syndrome is life-threatening because it might lead to ventricular tachycardia. The suggestive findings on the ECG include:
- Irregularly irregular rhythm
- Absent P wave
- Ventricular rate >220 beats per minute
Examples
Shown below is an EKG of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome demonstrating slurred upstroke of the QRS complex (>110 milli sec), resulting in a delta-wave (arrow). The EKG also shows a short PR interval.
Copyleft image obtained courtesy of ECGpedia,http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Shown below is an EKG showing a slurred upstroke QRS complex which is best appreciated in the precordial leads and a PR interval of less than 120 ms (short PR interval) suggesting WPW syndrome.
Copyleft image obtained courtesy of ECGpedia,http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Shown below is an EKG demonstrating a delta wave in leads V2, I, aVL, with wide QRS complexes and left axis deviation suggesting WPW syndrome.
Copyleft image obtained courtesy of ECGpedia,http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Shown below is an EKG showing a short PR interval of less than 120 ms, delta waves in leads I, aVF, aVL and chest leads with wide QRS complexes indicating WPW syndrome.
Copyleft image obtained courtesy of ECGpedia,http://en.ecgpedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
- For more EKG examples of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome click here.
References
- ↑ "Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and Accessory Pathways". Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Supraventricular Arrhythmias—Executive Summary". Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- ↑ "Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and Accessory Pathways". Retrieved 1 April 2014.