What is the definitive treatment for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome?

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is characterized by an accessory electrical conduction pathway that can lead to episodes of rapid heart rate (tachycardia). The definitive treatment for this syndrome is catheter or radiofrequency ablation. This procedure involves the insertion of catheters into the heart to identify and eliminate the abnormal electrical pathway, thereby preventing the recurrence of tachyarrhythmias associated with WPW.

Ablation is favored because it addresses the underlying cause of arrhythmia rather than just managing symptoms, providing a long-term solution that significantly reduces the risk of potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. This procedure is typically successful and can effectively cure the condition, as opposed to other treatments that might only manage symptoms without correcting the anatomical issue.

While pharmacological therapy can be used to control heart rates or rhythm in some patients, it does not resolve the underlying accessorial pathway of WPW, therefore not serving as a definitive treatment. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is not a treatment for WPW syndrome but rather an emergency procedure to manage cardiac arrest. Surgical intervention generally refers to more invasive surgeries that are not the standard approach for WPW syndrome when catheter ablation is an effective alternative.