Treating Wolff-Parkinson-White-Syndrome

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a fairly common condition that causes the heart to beat fast for a few minutes or even hours. It's caused by the heart having an extra electrical connection, which is present at birth and cannot be prevented. However, symptoms of the condition typically do not present until later in life, if at all. In fact, most of the cases diagnosed occur in young, otherwise healthy adults who undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) test for another reason. Usually, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is neither serious nor dangerous. Most patients will only experience the occasional episode and, with treatment, the disorder can usually be completed cured. The following are the most common methodologies used to treat Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is a form of electric shock therapy. Using electrodes placed on the chest, atop the heart, a shock is delivered that jolts the heart back into a normal pace and rhythm. This form of treatment is typically not the first one utilized in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. As it needs to be carried out under supervised medical care in a hospital, it is one of the last courses of action taken, when other treatment methods have failed or when episodes become intense and regular. The procedure is quick and typically only takes a few minutes to perform.

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Vagal Maneuvers

Vagal maneuvers are a group of popular techniques used in the treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. These techniques are used to stimulate the vagus nerve, slowing down the electrical signals given off in the heart. One example of these techniques is a Valsalva maneuver, in which the patients holds their nostrils shut, closes their mouth, and exhales hard. Think of how you might try to pop your ears if they feel clogged after going up a mountain. Another is a simple gag, which patients could do on their own or under doctor supervision with a tongue depressor. Coughing hard can also stimulate the vagus nerve, as can sitting with the knees against the chest. Additionally, a doctor may perform a carotid sinus massage.

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Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a procedure in which energy is used to destroy a small area of tissue in the heart. Destroying the area causing the irregular heartbeats can help restore the normal rhythm. This procedure works similarly to heat in a microwave. Catheter ablation is typically only recommended when the body cannot tolerate other less-invasive methods or they have failed. Although the ablation procedure destroys the tissue, it is typically low risk. The treatment must be conducted in a hospital lab and can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete. It is effective in about ninety-five of the cases it is used in.

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Long-Term Medical Therapy

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome does not typically warrant long-term medical therapy. However, it does exist as a therapeutic option for patients with more serious heart arrhythmias. With this in mind, however, these treatments must be undergone under the strict supervision of a doctor, as complications can arise when following treatment for an extended period. Patients who are considered especially high risk, such as those with other conditions that can be affected by a heart arrhythmia, must be treated and monitored accordingly, as maneuvers and the occasional medicine will not be sufficient to make a lasting difference.