Inherited Wolff–Parkinson–White Syndrome

Abstract

Wolff–Parkinson–White (WPW) syndrome is a congenital disorder of cardiac conduction system characterized by electrocardiographic preexcitation and episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. It is caused by a cardiac developmental defect in the electrical insulation between the atria and the ventricles due to the presence of an accessory pathway. WPW syndrome is a common cause of supraventricular tachycardia with benign prognosis. However, this clinical entity also predisposes patients to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, especially in the setting of preexcited atrial fibrillation. WPW syndrome is usually sporadic and of unknown etiology in most cases. During the past 10 years, a significant heritable factor is increasingly recognized. Identification of the genetic basis among patients with WPW syndrome has important implications for understanding the molecular mechanism of ventricular preexcitation and the development of therapeutic strategies for risk stratification and management. The goal of this review is to examine the previous studies on hereditary variants, as well as to outline potential future avenues toward defining the heritability of WPW syndrome.