Accessory Pathway Antegrade Electrophysiologic Features Among Wolff-Parkinson-White Patients: The Risk in Relation to the Location.

BACKGROUND

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a disorder characterized by presence of an accessory pathway (AP) which predisposes patients to tachyarrhythmia and sudden death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of high-risk electrophysiologic AP features among WPW patients referred for electrophysiological study (EPS) and to explore whether the AP location can predict the high-risk nature of the AP.

METHODS

This descriptive observational study was carried out on 70 patients with WPW subjected to invasive EPS. All patients were subjected to determination of AP anterograde conduction properties [AP effective refractory period (APERP) and shortest pre-excited RR interval (SPERRI)], mapping for localization, and ablation attempts of the AP.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (35.7%) had an AP antegrade refractory period (APERP) ≤ 240 ms. The shortest RR interval during pre-excited AF (SPERRI) was ≤ 250 ms in 17 patients. Thirty-two APs (45.7%) were classified as high-risk AP (having APERP ≤ 240 ms and/or SPERRI ≤ 250 ms). Radiofrequency ablation was successful in 59/63 patients (93.7%). The mean APERP was significantly lower in postero-septal than anteroseptal and mid-septal APs (p < 0.003), and in left sided than right sided APs (p value = 0.001). Left non-septal APs (specially the left lateral APs) were significantly associated with the presence of high-risk than low-risk parameters. Septal APs (anterior, mid, and posterior) were significantly associated with the presence of low-risk than high-risk parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

High-risk AP features as determined by the antegrade conduction properties are common among WPW patients. AP location may hold significance in predicting the presence of those high-risk electrophysiologic features.