What is a common sign on an ECG of a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is characterized by an abnormal conduction pathway in the heart, known as an accessory pathway. A distinguishing feature of WPW on an electrocardiogram (ECG) is the presence of a delta wave. This delta wave appears as a slurred upstroke at the beginning of the QRS complex, indicating early depolarization of the ventricles due to the rapid conduction through the accessory pathway.

This is significant because it helps to differentiate WPW from other forms of pre-excitation syndromes or arrhythmias. Identifying the delta wave in a patient with WPW is crucial for diagnosing the condition and managing potential complications, such as tachyarrhythmias.

While the other options present important concepts in cardiology, they are not characteristic of WPW syndrome specifically. For instance, a prolonged QT interval is related to risk factors for Torsades de Pointes and other forms of arrhythmias, ST segment elevation is commonly associated with myocardial ischemia or infarction, and inverted T waves can signify various conditions including ischemia or electrolyte imbalances, but none of these are indicative of WPW syndrome.