About Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, which is wrong?
**Core Concept**
WPW syndrome is a rare cardiac disorder characterized by the presence of an accessory electrical pathway between the atria and ventricles, known as the Bundle of Kent. This accessory pathway can cause the heart to beat too quickly, leading to symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the pathophysiology of WPW syndrome. The Bundle of Kent, an accessory electrical pathway, allows for anterograde conduction from the atria to the ventricles, bypassing the normal atrioventricular (AV) node. This can lead to a shorter refractory period and an increased risk of re-entry tachycardias, such as orthodromic AV re-entrant tachycardia (AVRT).
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:**
* This statement is incorrect as WPW syndrome is a congenital condition, and the presence of an accessory pathway is typically recognized at birth or during early childhood.
**Option B:**
* This statement is incorrect as WPW syndrome is not caused by a structural abnormality in the AV node, but rather by the presence of an accessory electrical pathway.
**Option C:**
* This statement is incorrect as WPW syndrome is not associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, but rather with an increased risk of re-entry tachycardias such as AVRT.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key feature of WPW syndrome is the presence of a delta wave, which is a slurred upstroke in the QRS complex on an electrocardiogram (ECG). The delta wave is due to the early activation of the ventricles via the accessory pathway.
**Correct Answer:** A.