Sudden Cardiac Death: The Most Feared but Potentially Preventable Presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Background. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is an uncommon cardiac disorder characterized by the presence of one or more accessory pathways that predispose patients to frequent episodes of arrhythmias. The prognosis is usually good, but there is a lifetime risk of malignant arrhythmias and sudden car...

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Main Authors: Ana Rita Pereira, Alexandra Briosa, Rita Miranda, Sofia Sequeira Almeida, Luís Brandão, Hélder Pereira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Cardiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9083144
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author Ana Rita Pereira
Alexandra Briosa
Rita Miranda
Sofia Sequeira Almeida
Luís Brandão
Hélder Pereira
author_facet Ana Rita Pereira
Alexandra Briosa
Rita Miranda
Sofia Sequeira Almeida
Luís Brandão
Hélder Pereira
author_sort Ana Rita Pereira
collection DOAJ
description Background. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is an uncommon cardiac disorder characterized by the presence of one or more accessory pathways that predispose patients to frequent episodes of arrhythmias. The prognosis is usually good, but there is a lifetime risk of malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Case Summary. A 25-year-old male presented a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation rhythm. Due to rapid initiation of prehospital advanced life support, return of spontaneous circulation was observed. During the transport to the hospital, an irregular wide complex tachycardia suggestive of preexcited atrial fibrillation with haemodynamic instability was also observed and a synchronized shock was applied. Baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram was compatible with sinus rhythm and ventricular preexcitation pattern. After clinical stabilization, an electrophysiological study was performed confirming the presence of a left anterolateral accessory pathway with a short antegrade effective refractory period. Successful radiofrequency catheter ablation was achieved. Discussion. The reported clinical case recalls fundamental features of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and outlines the increasing evidence and importance of the invasive risk stratification and even catheter ablation in asymptomatic patients who suffer from this uncommon disease that may have a dramatic and fatal initial clinical manifestation.
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spelling doaj-art-5821119c7cee45cfa023cf811bc9a0fd2025-02-03T05:57:19ZengWileyCase Reports in Cardiology2090-64122021-01-01202110.1155/2021/9083144Sudden Cardiac Death: The Most Feared but Potentially Preventable Presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White SyndromeAna Rita Pereira0Alexandra Briosa1Rita Miranda2Sofia Sequeira Almeida3Luís Brandão4Hélder Pereira5Cardiology DepartmentCardiology DepartmentCardiology DepartmentCardiology DepartmentCardiology DepartmentCardiology DepartmentBackground. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is an uncommon cardiac disorder characterized by the presence of one or more accessory pathways that predispose patients to frequent episodes of arrhythmias. The prognosis is usually good, but there is a lifetime risk of malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Case Summary. A 25-year-old male presented a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation rhythm. Due to rapid initiation of prehospital advanced life support, return of spontaneous circulation was observed. During the transport to the hospital, an irregular wide complex tachycardia suggestive of preexcited atrial fibrillation with haemodynamic instability was also observed and a synchronized shock was applied. Baseline 12-lead electrocardiogram was compatible with sinus rhythm and ventricular preexcitation pattern. After clinical stabilization, an electrophysiological study was performed confirming the presence of a left anterolateral accessory pathway with a short antegrade effective refractory period. Successful radiofrequency catheter ablation was achieved. Discussion. The reported clinical case recalls fundamental features of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and outlines the increasing evidence and importance of the invasive risk stratification and even catheter ablation in asymptomatic patients who suffer from this uncommon disease that may have a dramatic and fatal initial clinical manifestation.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9083144
spellingShingle Ana Rita Pereira
Alexandra Briosa
Rita Miranda
Sofia Sequeira Almeida
Luís Brandão
Hélder Pereira
Sudden Cardiac Death: The Most Feared but Potentially Preventable Presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
Case Reports in Cardiology
title Sudden Cardiac Death: The Most Feared but Potentially Preventable Presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
title_full Sudden Cardiac Death: The Most Feared but Potentially Preventable Presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
title_fullStr Sudden Cardiac Death: The Most Feared but Potentially Preventable Presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
title_full_unstemmed Sudden Cardiac Death: The Most Feared but Potentially Preventable Presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
title_short Sudden Cardiac Death: The Most Feared but Potentially Preventable Presentation of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
title_sort sudden cardiac death the most feared but potentially preventable presentation of wolff parkinson white syndrome
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9083144
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