Preexcitation syndromes: diagnostic consideration in the ED.
Preexcitation syndromes are a common cause of paroxysmal tachycardias presenting to the ED. Emergency physicians should be familiar with the common electrocardiographic manifestations of preexcitation, particularly the Wolff-Parkinson-White abnormality, as these conditions require specific therapeutic management. This article reviews the pathophysiology of preexcitation, along with the electrocardiographic findings of Wolff-Parkinson-White and its associated tachyarrhythmias.
Mark
Dustin G
DG
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Brady
William J
WJ
Pines
Jesse M
JM
D015897:Comorbidity; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011226:Pre-Excitation Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000175:diagnosis; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology