Differences in accessory pathway location by sex and race

Abstract

Background: The etiology of accessory pathway (AP) formation is generally unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that AP formation is genetically mediated by examining whether AP location differs by sex and/or race, using sex and race as proxies to distinguish genetically different individuals. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of 282 consecutive patients undergoing their first electrophysiology study that revealed at least one AP between 2004 and 2008. Sex and race were compared with AP location determined by invasive electrophysiology study. Results: Eighty-nine (52%) males and 40 (36%) females had a left posterior AP (P = .006). Sixty-four (57%) females had a right annular AP, compared with 55 (32%) males (P