title: Electrophysiology testing and catheter ablation are helpful when evaluating asymptomatic patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern: the con perspective.
abstract: The association between asymptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome and sudden cardiac death (SCD) has been well documented. The inherent properties of the accessory pathway determine the risk of SCD in WPW, and catheter ablation essentially eliminates this risk. An approach to WPW syndrome is needed that incorporates the patient's individualized considerations into the decision making. Patients must understand that there is a trade-off of a small immediate risk of an invasive approach for elimination of a small lifetime risk of the natural history of asymptomatic WPW. Clinicians can minimize the invasive risk by only performing ablation for patients with at-risk pathways.
authors: Arrhythmia Services, University Hospital, Western University, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada. Electronic address: askanes@uwo.ca.
authors: Allan C
authors: AC
authors: Skanes
authors: Department of Cardiology, The Northern Hospital, 185 Copper Street, Epping, Victoria 3076, Australia.
authors: Manoj
authors: M
authors: Obeyesekere
authors: Arrhythmia Services, University Hospital, Western University, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada.
authors: George J
authors: GJ
authors: Klein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Catheter ablation; Electrophysiology; Sudden cardiac death; Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome