Treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome varies, depending on whether the extra electrical pathway in your heart is considered low or high risk. If you have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome but no arrhythmia symptoms, your healthcare provider may decide to monitor your heart health through regular checkups rather than pursuing immediate treatment.
Patients with symptoms may undergo additional treatment.
While cardioversion is most often used for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, it can be used to treat Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome-associated arrhythmias. Paddles or patches are placed on the skin to shock the heart back into rhythm.
Those with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome who have symptoms are often treated with catheter ablation, or radiofrequency ablation. During this procedure a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and threaded to the heart. Electrodes inside the catheter allow your cardiologist to find the problem areas and destroy the abnormal tissue with radiofrequency energy. Catheter ablation has an 85% to 95% success rate of curing the syndrome.
Also known as chemical or pharmacologic cardioversion, certain medicines can help a fast heartbeat return to normal and keep it at a normal pace. Most often, chemical conversion is given by IV in the hospital.
The vagus nerve helps control the heartbeat, and you can sometimes slow a fast heartbeat with simple actions. You should not attempt these on your own without direction from your healthcare provider. A provider will suggest these maneuvers if it’s the best course of action so that they can monitor you accordingly. Examples of vagal maneuvers include:
- Abdominal pressure: Lie on your back and lift your feet over your head. Once you’re in this position, inhale and then strain your abdomen for about 30 seconds.
- Diving reflex: After breathing in and exhaling several times, you’ll submerge your face into a bowl of ice water and hold your breath for as long as you can.
- Valsalva maneuver: Sit up straight or lie down. Inhale, and then hold your breath. Bear down like you’re pooping and then strain for about 10 seconds. Exhale, and then try again a few minutes later.
Coughing and putting an ice pack on your face may also help.
