Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

From WikiGenetics

1 Name of Condition
2 Definition
3 Description, Signs and Symptoms
4 Inheritance
5 Demographics
6 Diagnosis
7 Treatment and Management
8 Prognosis
9 Resources
10 References

[edit] Name of Condition

[edit] Definition

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a condition characterized by extra electrical pathways in the heart that cause arrhythmia, or a disruption of normal heartbeat patterns.

[edit] Description, Signs and Symptoms

Most people with this syndrome will have episodes of arrythmia such as tachycardia, where the heart rate speeds up, which can cause dizziness, chest palpitations, fainting, or, more rarely, cardiac arrest. Some people who have the malformation never experience symptoms.

People who have this disorder, who experience symptoms, usually notice the onset between the ages of 11 and 50 years old.

[edit] Inheritance

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome is cause by mutations in the PRKAG2 gene on Chromosome 7. However, most cases of Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome are not due to inheritance. The condition is more likely to happen simply by a chance mutation, which is known as sporadic occurrence.

Familial, or inherited, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome accounts for only a small percentage of all cases. The inherited form has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.

[edit] Demographics

This condition affects 1 to 3 people for every 1000 worldwide. There is a high incidence of the syndrome in the Chinese population, where more than 70% of heart arrhythmia are due to Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. Men are also more likely to have the condition than women (about 60-70% of sufferers are men).

[edit] Diagnosis

This syndrome may be diagnosed from observing symptoms and reviewing an ECG, which will indicate abnormal heartbeat patterns.

[edit] Treatment and Management

Many people experience only episodes of tachycardia or arrhythmia, which can be treated with medication as necessary. However, for most of the time people will be symptom free, and some people experience no adverse symptoms at all.

[edit] Prognosis

With proper management of episodic symptoms, people with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome can live complete and normal lives. Rarely, complications or mismanagement of medications will cause sudden death, but these cases are rare, estimated at between 0-4% of all cases.