Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome Treatment
Learn
- Overview
- What It Is
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Diagnosis
- Symptoms
- Prognosis
- Living With
- Complications
- User Questions
Take Action
- Screening
- Medications
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Alternative Treatment
- Care Guide
- Questions for Your Doctor
- When to Contact a Doctor
- Find a Doctor
- Resource Guide
How to Treat Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome
The goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate episodes of tachyarrhythmia and associated symptoms. If you do not have symptoms, treatment is usually not necessary.
If you do need treatment, it may include:
Medication
Antiarrhythmics may be given to coordinate your heart's electrical signals. This can control or prevent episodes of rapid heartbeat. However, you must take the medicine carefully because it can sometimes make an abnormal heart rhythm worse.
Radiofrequency Ablation
This is a procedure in which a catheter delivers energy at a particular radiofrequency to your heart. This destroys (ablates) the abnormal electrical pathway. In most cases, ablation is successful and ends the need to take medicine.
Open-heart Surgery
Open-heart surgery is done to destroy the abnormal pathway. However, this procedure is rarely done.
Defibrillation
This is done in the case of cardiac arrest, which is rare. Defibrillation gives the heart a brief electric shock. This procedure converts a rapid, irregular heartbeat back into a normal heartbeat.
If you are diagnosed with WPW syndrome, follow your doctor's instructions.
