Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: A Case for High-Fidelity Simulation in Emergency Medicine

Abstract

OPEN ACCESSApril 14, 2008Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: A Case for High-Fidelity Simulation in Emergency Medicine Michael Fitch, MD, PhD, Corey Heitz, MD, Ashley Brown Michael Fitch, MD, PhD Wake Forest School of Medicine of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Google Scholar More articles by this author , Corey Heitz, MD Wake Forest University School of Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author , Ashley Brown Wake Forest University School of Medicine Google Scholar More articles by this author https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.765 SectionsAbout ToolsDownload Citations ShareFacebookTwitterEmail Abstract Introduction: This educational resource provides the information and materials for a high-fidelity simulation case suitable for resident physicians in emergency medicine. This case was implemented at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine for upper-level emergency medicine residents completing required educational time in our Emergency Department Simulation Program. Methods: This high-fidelity patient simulation case involves a young man with palpitations and mild shortness of breath. An electrocardiogram (ECG) in the emergency department demonstrates a wide complex tachycardia and a review of old records finds a previous ECG with findings diagnostic for Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. Inappropriate blockage of the atrioventricular (AV) node with pharmacologic agents will lead to patient deterioration into ventricular fibrillation, as this patient with WPW is in atrial fibrillation. Appropriate treatment with procainamide or amiodarone will allow stabilization of the tachycardia. Debriefing materials are provided to illustrate and stimulate discussion of the important concepts for diagnosing and treating patients with WPW. Results: This scenario has been presented for small groups of three to four participants and has been field tested approximately 15 times over the past 2 years. All participants have been PGY1, PGY2, and PGY3 emergency medicine residents. Discussion: This educational resource provides the information and materials for a high-fidelity simulation case suitable for resident physicians in emergency medicine. Lessons learned from 2 years of use are incorporated in this existing resource. Educational Objectives By the end of this resource, learners will be able to: Demonstrate appropriate initial approach for a patient with palpitations and shortness of breath.Identify irregular wide-complex tachycardia on an electrocardiogram (ECG).List the diagnostic features of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome on ECG.Understand the treatment options of atrial fibrillation in patients with WPW.Differentiate between different causes of wide-complex tachycardia.Understand the pathophysiology of the accessory pathway in WPW. Sign up for the latest publications from MedEdPORTAL Add your email below FILES INCLUDEDReferencesRelatedDetails FILES INCLUDED Included in this publication: WPW Simulation.pdf To view all publication components, extract (i.e., unzip) them from the downloaded .zip file. Download editor’s noteThis publication may contain technology or a display format that is no longer in use. CitationFitch M, Heitz C, Brown A. Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: A Case for High-Fidelity Simulation in Emergency Medicine. MedEdPORTAL. 2008;4:765. https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.765 Copyright & Permissions© 2008 Fitch et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives license.KeywordsPalpitationsWolff-Parkinson-White SyndromeWPWWide Complex TachycardiaNodal ReentryAtrial Fibrillation Disclosures None to report. Funding/Support None to report. Loading ...