Wolff-Parkinson-White disease may be associated with which of the congenital hea defect: March 2011
**Core Concept**
Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by an accessory electrical pathway between the atria and ventricles, leading to an abnormal heart rhythm known as pre-excitation. This condition results from an accessory electrical pathway, called a bypass tract, that allows electrical signals to bypass the normal atrioventricular (AV) node.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The bypass tract in WPW syndrome typically originates from the atria and connects to the ventricles at a location other than the AV node. This accessory pathway can conduct electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles, causing the heart to contract prematurely and leading to an irregular heartbeat. In many cases, WPW syndrome is associated with other congenital heart defects, particularly those involving the AV septum.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This is a distractor because other congenital heart defects like Tetralogy of Fallot or Transposition of the Great Arteries are not typically associated with WPW syndrome.
**Option B:** This is incorrect because WPW syndrome is not directly associated with Ebstein's anomaly, which primarily involves the tricuspid valve.
**Option C:** This is a distractor because patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a different congenital heart defect that does not typically involve the AV septum.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
WPW syndrome can be challenging to diagnose, but it is often identified by a characteristic "delta wave" on an electrocardiogram (ECG), which represents the premature contraction of the ventricles.
**Correct Answer: D. Ebstein's anomaly.**