The WPW syndrome (Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) is a very specific heart rhythm disorder that is characterized by rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). The syndrome affects more men than women and occurs most often between 20 and 30 Age, whereby the frequency of the disease decreases with age.
Normally, the excitation of the heart muscle begins in the so-called sinus node. The electrical impulses spread through the atria from the first, fill with blood, while the chambers of the blood with which they are still placed in the arteries of the heart pumps away (diastole of the atria, systole of the chambers). As the momentum continues to spread the atria, the blood passed to the next chambers (atrial systole, diastole of the chambers). The impulses then reach the AV node slows the impulse briefly to allow the chambers to fill with blood. Shortly after, she then spread rapidly but in the heart chambers, leading to the chambers that pump blood into the arteries (systole of the chambers). The whole thing is a cycle that overlaps.
Causes
The WPW syndrome is happening now is that a short circuit is formed in the electrical impulse conduction of the heart. Here the pulses are not routed through the sinus node and AV node to the ventricles, but the AV node will be skipped so that the pulses are passed on much too early in the cardiac chambers. The ventricles are so excited too early (Präexitation) and pump blood out early in the arteries. Result is then a rapid heartbeat.
This short line is called Kent bundles.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms can be used very suddenly. The victims then notice a rapid heart beat with a pulse of 180 beats per minute. Often it occurs also dizziness, rarely unconsciousness. In general, the heartbeat sets just as suddenly as it came. Very rarely can lead to ventricular tachycardia, which can be very dangerous. When symptoms occur frequently and severely impact quality of life, the patient should undergo treatment.
The doctor will usually already close by the typical symptoms of this arrhythmia. Then he is to confirm the diagnosis, can do an electrocardiogram. To characteristic changes are observed, indicating a WPW syndrome and the short circuit. Often, an electrophysiological study is required. This is a heart catheterization in which a type ECG is derived directly from the heart muscle, so to speak.
Therapy
Since arrhythmias are often short-lived they may be interrupted by so-called Vagusreize. These stimuli can be learned for example the straining at stool, drinking cold water, or immersing the face in cold water. During the attack can also be injected medication into the veins. If the tachycardia is often a permanent medical treatment necessary. In the worst case, a catheter ablation, which is a division of certain muscles in the heart to interrupt the short circuit, are performed. The success rate of 95% and is performed primarily in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Comments
Post a Comment