Genetic basis and pathogenesis of familial WPW syndrome

Sidhu, Jasvinder and Roberts, Robert (2003) Genetic basis and pathogenesis of familial WPW syndrome. Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal, 3 (4). pp. 197-201. ISSN 0972-6292

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Abstract

The Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome has been a known clinical entity for over fifty years. In 1967 Durrer et al postulated WPW syndrome was due to an accessory pathway, bypassing the AV node, from the atria to the ventricles This was later confirmed by epicardial mapping. WPW is the second most common cause of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias in the western world and the most common cause in China. WPW syndrome has a prevalence of 1.5 to 3.1 per 1000 persons in western countries . Patients with the WPW syndrome may present with palpitations, presyncope, syncope, or sudden cardiac death (SCD). In some patients the first and only manifestation of the disease is SCD. This is more likely to occur in the setting of atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response.

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