Pre-Excited Atrial Fibrillation in Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.
Rev Cardiovasc Med
; 25(4): 125, 2024 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39076547
ABSTRACT
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is defined by specific electrocardiogram (ECG) changes resulting in ventricular pre-excitation (the so-called WPW pattern), related to the presence of an accessory pathway (AP), combined with recurrent tachyarrhythmias. WPW syndrome is characterized by different supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT), including atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia (AVRT) and atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response, with AVRT being the most common arrhythmia associated with WPW, and AF occurring in up to 50% of patients with WPW. Several mechanisms might be responsible for AF development in the WPW syndrome, and a proper electrocardiographic interpretation is of pivotal importance since misdiagnosing pre-excited AF could lead to the administration of incorrect treatment, potentially inducing ventricular fibrillation (VF). Great awareness of pre-excited AF's common ECG characteristics as well as associated causes and its treatment is needed to increase diagnostic performance and improve patients' outcomes. In the present review, starting from a paradigmatic case, we discuss the characteristics of pre-excited AF in the emergency department and its management, focusing on the most common ECG abnormalities, pharmacological and invasive treatment of this rhythm disorder.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Rev Cardiovasc Med
Journal subject:
ANGIOLOGIA
/
CARDIOLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italia