Wolf Parkinson White (WPW)

Exam Cram

• Wolf Parkinson White is a type of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia

• Presentation: young person with palpitations, pre-syncope

• Diagnosis- ECG: delta wave, short PR interval 

• Management: radiofrequency ablation

Outline

Assessment

History

• Young 

• Palpitations, (pre)syncope

Examination

• Normal

• Tachycardia

Investigations

• ECG: 

  • • Delta wave

    • Short PR

      • Best seen in aVF & V4

    • Episodes of SVT

Diagnosis

Diagnostic criteria: ECG diagnosis

Differentials: SVT, Atrial Fibrillation, atrial flutter

Classification (aetiology): idiopathic vs secondary

Management

Acute

1. DC Shock if unstable (chest pain, syncope, hypotension, heart failure)

Long term

1. Radiofrequency ablation (RF)

Med Reg Notes

Two Types of WPW

• • Type A: dominant R wave in V1

  • Type B: negative delta wave in V1 & V2

Complications

• SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) 

Management

• Radiofrequency ablation: 95% chance of preventing further episodes of SVT

• Surgical ablation: if radiofrequency has failed & already undergoing cardiac surgery

Resources and References

Links

• Body system: cardiovascular system

• Specialty: cardiology

Written in 2025.