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Copyright 1989, 1991, 1994, 1999, 2007
Synonyms of Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome
- Accessory Atrioventricular Pathways
- Preexcitation Syndrome
- WPW Syndrome
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a rare congenital heart disorder involving irregularities in the electrical system of the heart. In individuals with WPW syndrome, an abnormal alternate electrical pathway (accessory pathway), exists between the atrium and the ventricle, resulting in abnormal heartbeat rhythms (arrhythmias) and faster than normal heartbeats (tachycardia).
The normal heart has four chambers. The two upper chambers are the atria and the two lower chambers are the ventricles. Within the right atrium of a normal heart is a natural pacemaker that initiates and controls the heartbeat. The electrical stimulus travels from the pacemaker (sinoatrial or SA node) to the ventricles along a specific pathway consisting of conducting tissue and known as the AV (atrioventricular) node. The extra electrical pathway in individuals with WPW syndrome bypasses the normal route and causes the ventricles to beat earlier than normal (preexcitation) and can allow electrical impulses to be conducted in both directions (i.e., from the atria to the ventricles and from the ventricles to the atria).
Organizations related to Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome
- American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas TX 75231-4596
Phone #: 214-373-6300
800 #: 800-242-8721
e-mail: Review.personal.info@heart.org
Home page: http://www.americanheart.org
- Cardiomyopathy Association
Chiltern Court, Unit 10
Asheridge Road
Chesham
Bucks Intl HP5 2PX
Phone #: +44- (0-)1494 791224
800 #: 080-0 0-18 1024
e-mail: info@caridiomyopathy.org
Home page: http://www.cardiomyopathy.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- HOPE (The Heart of Pediatric Electrophysiology)
PO Box 519
Park Ridge NJ 07565
Phone #: 201-505-9383
800 #: 877-394-4673
e-mail: info@heartbeatsofhope.org, info@timothysyndrome.org
Home page: http://www.heartbeatsofhope.org
- MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda MD 20824-0105
Phone #: 301-592-8573
800 #: --
e-mail: nhlbiinfo@rover.nhlbi.nih.gov
Home page: N/A
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