WPW syndrome is caused by –
**Core Concept**
WPW syndrome, or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, is a rare heart condition characterized by an abnormal electrical pathway in the heart. This extra pathway, known as an accessory electrical pathway, can cause the heart to beat too quickly, leading to symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, and fainting.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the pathophysiology of WPW syndrome. The accessory electrical pathway in WPW syndrome is a result of an abnormal connection between the atria and the ventricles. This connection allows electrical impulses to bypass the normal pathway through the atrioventricular (AV) node, leading to an abnormal sequence of electrical activation and a rapid heart rate.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because WPW syndrome is not caused by a problem with the AV node itself, but rather by an abnormal connection that bypasses the AV node.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because WPW syndrome is not caused by a problem with the coronary sinus, which is a vein that collects blood from the heart muscle and returns it to the heart.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because WPW syndrome is not caused by a problem with the bundle of His, which is a group of specialized fibers that carry electrical impulses from the AV node to the ventricles.
**Option D:** This option is incorrect because WPW syndrome is not caused by a problem with the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is the natural pacemaker of the heart.
**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. This delta wave is caused by the premature activation of the ventricles through the accessory electrical pathway.
**Correct Answer:** C. Abnormal connection between the atria and the ventricles, also known as an accessory electrical pathway.