✨
BLACK FRIDAY SALE ✨ SAVE UP TO 45% OFF NOW
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
Courses
/
Physiology
/
Electrocardiography & Arrhythmias
/
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome Mnemonic

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Wolf-Park-White
Picmonic
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is an arrhythmia syndrome. Some patients can display a WPW pattern but not have symptomatic WPW syndrome. Those that have WPW syndrome have ventricular pre-excitation caused by an accessory conduction pathway. It can result in various arrhythmias including supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. On ECG, delta waves, a shortened PR interval and a widened QRS will be seen. Asymptomatic patients who have the ECG pattern but are otherwise healthy generally do not require treatment. Patients with arrhythmias, however, must be treated. Definitive treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White requires procedural ablation of the accessory pathway.
10 KEY FACTS
WPW Pattern vs. WPW Syndrome
Wolf Tracks vs. Wolf

There are two classifications of WPW. Patients with WPW pattern have ECG findings but do NOT have symptomatic arrhythmias. In contrast, patients with WPW syndrome have both classic WPW findings on ECG and symptomatic arrhythmias. Both WPW pattern and WPW syndrome occur in less than one percent of the population. However, WPW pattern is 10-100x more common.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Ventricular Pre-excitation Syndrome
Vent Pre-excited Person

WPW is a type of ventricular pre-excitation syndrome. In normal cardiac conduction, the atria and ventricles are electrically separate from one another, and electrical impulses must pass through the atrioventricular (AV) node and His-Purkinje system. Patients with WPW and other “pre-excitation” syndromes have alternative, or “accessory” pathways which allow electricity to flow directly from the atria to the ventricles, bypassing the AV node and leading to “premature” activation of the ventricles.

Accessory Conduction Pathway
Accessory Conductor Path

In WPW, an accessory conduction pathway exists which directly connects the atria and ventricles. This pathway is called the “bundle of Kent.”

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Supraventricular Tachycardia
Super-V-Tac

Several different types of supraventricular arrhythmias can occur with WPW, the most common of which is known as AV reentrant tachycardia (AVRT). In AVRT, the electrical signal passes from the AV node to the ventricles in the normal fashion but subsequently passes back into the atria through the bundle of Kent - hence the name, “reentrant.” As with any form of SVT, patients can present with palpitations, dizziness, syncope/presyncope, and chest pain.

Atrial Fibrillation
Atria-heart Alarm-clock

Another potential complication of WPW is atrial fibrillation, which itself is another type of supraventricular tachycardia. It occurs in ~15-30% of patients. It’s characterized by a rapid atrial rate which can bypass the AV node and lead to very rapid ventricular response rates, even ventricular fibrillation. Treatment can involve antiarrhythmics or electrical cardioversion. Avoid AV node blocking agents like adenosine and beta blockers as these agents further promote conduction through the accessory pathway and increase the risk of ventricular fibrillation.

DIAGNOSIS
Shortened PR Interval
Short PRada Purse

Patients with WPW typically have a shortened PR interval of <0.12 seconds, reflecting faster transmission of the electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles.

Delta Wave
Delta Wave

Diagnosis of WPW pattern usually only requires a surface ECG. The “delta wave” is a key clinical finding seen in WPW, seen on ECG as a slurred, broad upstroke of the QRS complex. It is typically first recognized as an incidental finding on an ECG obtained for another clinical indication.

Widened QRS
Wide Queen's Rocket Ship

Patients with WPW typically have a widened QRS interval of >0.12 seconds.

TREATMENT
No Treatment if Asymptomatic
No Treatment with Thumbs-up

As previously mentioned, WPW pattern is far more common than WPW syndrome. These patients are asymptomatic and usually not treated. However, certain asymptomatic subgroups such as pediatric patients and those with congenital heart defects or cardiomyopathies may be considered for treatment as they are at increased risk for arrhythmias in the future.

Treat Arrhythmia
Fix Broken Arrhythmia-drum

In patients presenting with symptomatic WPW (i.e. WPW syndrome), treatment is required. Treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia as well as the acute stability of the patient. In severe or persistent cases of WPW, invasive procedures may be warranted like ablation of the accessory pathway.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Parts of an ECG
picmonic thumbnail
ECG Interpretation
picmonic thumbnail
ECG: Sinus Bradycardia
picmonic thumbnail
ECG: Sinus Tachycardia
picmonic thumbnail
ECG: Atrial Flutter

Take the Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,980,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.