Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

What abnormality represents Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?

1. Supraventricular tachycardia

2. Atrial fibrillation

3. Premature ventricular contractions

4. Premature atrial contractions

The correct answer is: Supraventricular tachycardia

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is characterized by the presence of an accessory pathway that bypasses the normal delay in the atrioventricular (AV) node, which can lead to episodes of supraventricular tachycardia. This abnormal conduction pathway allows for reentrant circuits that can cause rapid heart rates. In this context, the hallmark of WPW is the manifestation of supraventricular tachycardia, which can occur when the electrical impulses that normally travel through the AV node instead take the shortcut through the accessory pathway. During an episode of tachycardia in WPW, patients may experience palpitations, dizziness, or syncope due to the increased heart rate and decreased filling time of the ventricles. Regular and timely identification of WPW with echocardiographic features and ECG findings is crucial for appropriate management and potential treatment options, including catheter ablation of the accessory pathway. The other mentioned cardiovascular irregularities, such as atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, and premature atrial contractions, do not specifically represent WPW syndrome and are associated with different pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentations.