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Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome, Sports Medicine

Giselle Aerni, MD and Aaron L. Baggish, MD, FACC, FACSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

A disorder of cardiac conduction caused by accessory pathways between the atria and ventricles leading to ventricular preexcitation 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Incidence

New cases are diagnosed in th...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Patients may present as incidental finding on electrocardiogram (ECG) and otherwise asymptomatic (WPW pattern).

  • Symptoms of WPW syndrome may include:

    • Palpitations.

    • Chest pain.

    • Dyspnea.

    • Diz...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Antiarrhythmic medications are less effective than transcatheter ablation for treatment of WPW.

  • Additionally, antiarrhythmic medications can hinder athletic performance.

ISSUES FOR REFERRAL

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Return to sport 2 to 4 wk after catheter ablation

  • No guidelines on frequency of surveillance on asymptomatic athletes with initially identified low-risk pathways

PROGNOSIS

REFERENCES

1
Zipes DP, Link MS, Ackerman MJ, et al. Eligibility and disqualification recommendations for competitive athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities: Task Force 9: arrhythmias and conduction...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Baggish AL, Shah AB. MY APPROACH to the athlete with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW). Trends Cardiovasc Med.  2018;28(2):154–155.

  • Ceresnak SR, Dubin AM. Wolff-Parkinson-Whi...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Classic ECG findings are shortened PR interval and presence of delta wave.

  • Asymptomatic athletes should be evaluated for the purpose of risk stratification for primary determination of ...

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