Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW)
Also calledWPW · Wolff-Parkinson-White · Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome · WPW pattern · WPW syndrome
Definition
Ventricular pre-excitation through an accessory atrioventricular pathway (bundle of Kent) that bypasses the AV node, so part of the ventricle is activated early. The resting ECG shows a short PR interval under 120 ms, a slurred initial QRS upstroke (delta wave), and a widened QRS over 120 ms; WPW syndrome is present when this pattern occurs with symptomatic episodes of paroxysmal tachycardia.
Clinical noteNamed after Wolff, Parkinson and White, who in 1930 described what they called bundle-branch block with a short PR interval in healthy young people prone to paroxysmal tachycardia.
Sources
- Wolff L, Parkinson J, White PD. Bundle-branch block with short P-R interval in healthy young people prone to paroxysmal tachycardia. Am Heart J. 1930;5(6):685-704. doi.org/10.1016/S0002-8703(30)90086-5
- Surawicz B, Childers R, Deal BJ, Gettes LS. AHA/ACCF/HRS recommendations for the standardization and interpretation of the electrocardiogram: part III: intraventricular conduction disturbances. Circulation. 2009;119(10):e235-e240. doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.191095
- Ungaro S, Graziano F, Bondarev S, et al. Electrocardiographic clues for early diagnosis of ventricular pre-excitation and non-invasive risk stratification in athletes: a practical guide for sports cardiologists. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. 2024;11(10):324. doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11100324
- Samesima N, God EG, Kruse JCL, et al. Brazilian Society of Cardiology guidelines on the analysis and issuance of electrocardiographic reports - 2022. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2022;119(4):638-680. doi.org/10.36660/abc.20220623
Last reviewed 2 October 2026. Every definition in the EKG Dictionary cites the guideline, consensus statement or original paper it comes from.