Where is the extra electrical pathway in WPW?

Patients with WPW syndrome have an extra electrical pathway between the atria and the ventricles, known as an accessory pathway. The abnormal pathway directly connects the atria and ventricles and bypasses the AV node, which is the slowest conducting part of the heart’s electrical system.

How do I find accessory pathway?

Accordingly, it is determined by the site of ventricular insertion of the accessory pathway, AV node conduction time, and atrial conduction. Accessory pathways can be located anywhere along the left or right free walls of the heart or within the septum.

What is the name of the accessory pathway in WPW?

Individuals with WPW have an accessory pathway that communicates between the atria and the ventricles, in addition to the AV node. This accessory pathway is known as the bundle of Kent.

Does everyone have accessory pathway?

Not all patients with accessory pathways have fast heartbeats. Some people with a delta wave on their ECG caused by an accessory pathway will never have a problem with a fast heartbeat. In others, a rapid heartbeat ( tachycardia) can sometimes suddenly occur.

Is WPW regular or irregular?

Individuals with WPW syndrome may exhibit one or more irregular heartbeats especially episodes of abnormally fast heartbeats that originate above the ventricles (supraventricular tachycardias). These episodes often begin and stop abruptly and may last a few minutes to a few hours.

What is an accessory conduction pathway?

An accessory pathway is an aberrant cardiac muscle bundle that often is capable of rapid conduction and that connects the atrium to the ventricle, usually at the atrioventricular (AV) annulus. Accessory pathways are a consequence of incomplete embryologic development of the AV annulus and sometimes may be genetic.

Is WPW serious?

Is it serious? It can be scary to be told that you have a problem with your heart, but WPW syndrome usually isn’t serious. Many people will have no symptoms or only experience occasional, mild episodes of their heart racing. With treatment, the condition can normally be completely cured.

Can you drink coffee with WPW?

If they trigger episodes, limit or avoid alcohol or drinks with caffeine.

Where are the accessory pathways located in WPW?

3.  On the basis of large study of RF ablation of accessory pathways in WPW syndrome, AP Fitzpatrick described eight anatomical locations of pathways using fluoroscopic landmarks  Five of these accessory pathways are located on the right side along the tricuspid valve annulus and three left sided are located along the mitral valve annulus. 4. 1.

Is there any way to localise WPW syndrome?

Localising WPW syndrome is a favorite time pass for cardiologists in spite of serious limitations of surface ECG .Still , it is vital to generate a rough idea about the location of these pathways , so that we can focus our efforts on some sort of ablation procedure .

Can a pathway localization predict the clinical course?

• The pathway localization or the degree of preexcitation otherwise does not predict the clinical course. • Various algorithms (Chern – En Chiang’s, Ftizpatrick’s and Xie’s algorithms) have been used for predicting accessory pathway location using different electrographic criteria.

Why is the localization of the accessory pathway important?

Localization of the accessory pathway • Localization of the accessory pathway is generally of value only when considering catheter ablation. • The pathway localization or the degree of preexcitation otherwise does not predict the clinical course.