Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern and risk of sudden death

Abstract

In this volume of The Journal, Chubb et al report the results of a survey of pediatric cardiac electrophysiologists on the management of patients identified with the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) pattern on electrocardiogram (ECG) with no symptoms. They report that many electrophysiologists are being more aggressive about using invasive electrophysiology studies with subsequent ablation as treatment than the most current guidelines would suggest. The reason this discussion is important for all pediatricians to understand is that recent studies have suggested that pediatric patients with asymptomatic WPW are at substantially higher risk of sudden death than adults with WPW. Studies have also shown that evaluating risk of sudden death using non-invasive approaches is challenging at best. Thus, when pediatric patients with asymptomatic WPW are identified, it is important for them to be referred to a pediatric electrophysiologist for further evaluation and possible ablation of the accessory conduction pathway. Article page 88▸ Management of Asymptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White Pattern by Pediatric ElectrophysiologistsThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 213PreviewTo determine the present-day approach of pediatric cardiac electrophysiologists to asymptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) pattern and to contrast to both published consensus statements and a similar survey. Full-Text PDF