Korean J Pediatr.  2011 Dec;54(12):507-511. 10.3345/kjp.2011.54.12.507.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in young people, from childhood to young adulthood: relationships between age and clinical and electrophysiological findings

• Jung HJ
• Ju HY
• Hyun MC
• Lee SB
• Kim YH

• KMID: 2284417
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2011.54.12.507

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the characteristics of electrophysiologic studies (EPS) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) performed in subjects aged less than 30 years with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, particularly pediatric patients under 18 years of age, based on our experience.
METHODS
Two hundred and one consecutive patients with WPW syndrome were recruited and divided to 3 groups according to age: group 1, 6 to 17 years; group 2, 18 to 29 years; and group 3, 30 to 60 years. The clinical, electrophysiological, and therapeutic data for these patients were evaluated by a retrospective medical record review.
RESULTS
A total of 73 (36%) of these patients were <30 years of age. Although there were more males than females in group 2 (male:female, 31:11), there was no sex difference in group 1 (male:female, 16:15). Left accessory pathway was detected less frequently in group 1 (32%, 10/31) than in group 2 (57%, 24/42) and group 3 (63%, 81/128) (P=0.023 and P=0.002, respectively).
CONCLUSION
The present study describes several different electrophysiological characteristics in children and adolescents with WPW syndrome. Therefore, when EPS and RFA are performed in children and adolescence with WPW syndrome, we recommend that these characteristics be considered.

Keyword

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; Accessory conducting pathway; Electrophysiology; Radiofrequency catheter ablation

MeSH Terms

Accessory Atrioventricular Bundle
Adolescent
Aged
Catheter Ablation
Child
Electrophysiology
Female
Humans
Male
Medical Records
Retrospective Studies
Sex Characteristics
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome