Understanding Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

9. Treatments for WPW Syndrome

Treatment of WPW syndrome depends on the level of the irregularity of heart rate and rhythm, the severity and frequency of symptoms, the presence of complications, and the person's overall health. Though the syndrome is chronic, symptoms are often manageable through the use of antiarrhythmics, medications that regulate heart rate and rhythm.

In cases where severe symptoms or complications exist, doctors may recommend ablation, which requires inserting a catheter into the heart through a blood vessel. Electrical energy delivered through electrodes at the end of the catheter destroy the accessory pathway, resulting in a permanent correction. In asymptomatic cases or those in which symptoms are minor and infrequent, a doctor might recommend observation and regular monitoring of the syndrome rather than resorting to intervention.