Wolff-Parkinson-White SyndromeSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a condition in which there is an extra electrical pathway in the heart that leads to periods of a specific type rapid heart rate called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
WPW syndrome is one of the most common causes of fast heart rate problems in infants and children.
Preexcitation syndrome; WPW; Tachycardia - Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; Arrhythmia - WPW; Abnormal heart rhythm - WPW; Rapid heartbeat - WPW
Normally, electrical signals follow a certain pathway through the heart. This helps the heart beat regularly. This prevents the heart from having extra beats or beats happening too soon.
In people with WPW syndrome, some of the heart's electrical signals go down an extra pathway. This may cause a very rapid heart rate called supraventricular tachycardia.
Most people with WPW syndrome do not have any other heart problems. However, this condition has been linked with other cardiac conditions, such as Ebstein anomaly. A form of the condition also runs in families.
How often a rapid heart rate occurs varies depending on the person. Some people with WPW syndrome have only a few episodes of rapid heart rate. Others may have the rapid heart rate once or twice a week or more. Also, there may be no symptoms at all, so that condition is found when a heart test is done for another reason.
A person with this syndrome may have:
- Chest pain or chest tightness
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Palpitations (a sensation of feeling your heart beating, usually quickly or irregularly)
- Shortness of breath
Medicines, particularly antiarrhythmic medicines such as procainamide or amiodarone, may be used to control or prevent a rapid heartbeat.
If the heart rate does not return to normal with medical treatment, health care providers may use a type of therapy called electrical cardioversion (electrical shock).
The long-term treatment for WPW syndrome is very often catheter ablation. This procedure involves inserting a tube (catheter) into a vein through a small cut near the groin up to the heart area. When the tip reaches the heart, the small area that is causing the fast heart rate is destroyed using a special type of energy called radiofrequency or by freezing it (cryoablation). This is done as part of an electrophysiologic study (EPS).
Before ablation is considered, you may be asked to undergo an exercise stress test to help decide if you need ablation.
Open heart surgery to burn or freeze the extra pathway may also provide a permanent cure for WPW syndrome. In most cases, this procedure is done only if you need heart surgery for other reasons.
Cleveland Clinic Children's Outpatient Center
Peter Aziz is a Pediatrics provider practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been practicing medicine for over 26 years. Dr. Aziz is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 63 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, Long QT Syndrome, Double Discordia, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), and Cardiac Ablation. Dr. Aziz is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, 2019.
Cohen Children's Northwell Health Physician Partners Pediatric Specialists At Lake Success, 1111 Marcus Avenue
My clinical and research areas of interest are: the management of arrhythmias in children and in adults with congenital heart disease including medical management, Cardiac Arrhythmia Ablation, as well as Pacemakers and ICDs. I also manage patients with Inherited Arrhythmias and those at risk for Sudden Cardiac Death. Dr. Blaufox is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, Arrhythmias, Fainting, Congenital Heart Block, and Cardiac Ablation. Dr. Blaufox is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics/Pediatric Cardiology.
Office
Scott Ceresnak is a Pediatric Cardiologist practicing medicine in San Francisco,, California. Dr. Ceresnak is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 123 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), Tetralogy of Fallot, Cardiac Ablation, and Heart Transplant.
Catheter ablation cures this disorder in most people. The success rate for the procedure is 90% to 95%. Success rates vary depending on the location and number of extra pathways.
Complications may include:
- Complications of surgery
- Heart failure
- Reduced blood pressure (caused by rapid heart rate)
- Side effects of medicines
The most severe form of a rapid heartbeat is ventricular fibrillation (VF), which will rapidly lead to shock or death unless it is corrected. It can sometimes occur in people with WPW, particularly if they also have atrial fibrillation (AF), which is another type of abnormal heart rhythm. This type of rapid heartbeat requires emergency treatment and a procedure called cardioversion.
Contact your provider if:
- You have symptoms of WPW syndrome.
- You have this disorder and symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment.
Talk to your provider about whether your family members should be screened for inherited forms of this condition.
Summary: Study of ECG and electrophysiological criteria which discriminate right versus left septal AP (both posteroseptal and anteroseptal AP). Both manifest and concealed APs will be considered .
Published Date: January 27, 2026
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Dalal AS, Van Hare GF. Disturbances of rate and rhythm of the heart. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 484.
Kalman JM, Sanders P. Supraventricular tachycardias. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, et al, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 47.
Zimetbaum P, Goldman L. Supraventricular ectopy and tachyarrhythmias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 52.