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WPW Pattern — RACP Paediatrics MCQ

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ModerateCardiologyWPW PatternRACP Paediatrics

A 12-year-old girl presents with palpitations. ECG shows a short PR interval and a delta wave with a slurred upstroke of the QRS complex. She is asymptomatic at the time of the ECG. What is the underlying electrophysiological abnormality?

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Correct answer: A — Accessory pathway (pre-excitation / Wolff-Parkinson-White pattern)

WPW pattern on resting ECG shows a short PR interval and delta wave (slurred QRS upstroke) from ventricular pre-excitation via an accessory pathway. Risk assessment for sudden cardiac death (rare) includes EP study. Asymptomatic children with WPW pattern should be referred to a paediatric cardiologist.

Reference: RCH Melbourne – 2024 – Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pre-excitation Syndromes