Asymptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: Incidental ECG diagnosis and a review of literature regarding current treatment

Abstract

A 19-year-old male presented with periorbital cellulitis responsive to intravenous antibiotics. A routine ECG on admission showed slurred upstroke of the QRS complexes consistent with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). He has never experienced any cardiac-related symptoms. Once the periorbital cellulitis resolved, he was referred to the specialist cardiology ablation clinic. He was counselled on the arrythmogenic risks of untreated WPW and the potential complications of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA). He decided to go ahead with electrophysiological studies and RFCA, which took place successfully. This case highlights the importance of routine ECG in the diagnosis of asymptomatic WPW. The use of prophylactic ablation of asymptomatic WPW is controversial and should be considered on a case-specific basis.