Diagnosis and treatment of fetal and pediatric age patients (0-12 years) with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and atrioventricular accessory pathways

Abstract

Overt or concealed accessory pathways are the anatomic substrates of ventricular preexcitation (VP), Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). These arrhythmias are commonly observed in pediatric age. PSVT may occur at any age, from fetus to adulthood, and its symptoms range from none to syncope or heart failure. VP too can range from no symptoms to sudden cardiac death. Therefore, these arrhythmias frequently need risk stratification, electrophysiologic study, drug or ablation treatment. In this review of the literature, recommendations are given for diagnosis and treatment of fetal and pediatric age (≤12 years) WPW, VP, PSVT, and criteria for sport participation.