Usefulness of the thoracic circle in localizing the pre-excitation zone in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

In this study thoracic circle lead electrocardiogram were recorded during sinus rhythm in 50 patients with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome. We analyzed: delta wave polarity, QRS axis in the frontal plane, ventricular preexcitation, the pattern of precordial R wave transition and QRS morphology in the unipolar leads, also concordance between electrocardiographic patterns and the site of the accessory pathway determined during electrophysiological study. Electrocardiograms from patients with left lateral sites showed negative delta waves in leads LI or a VL, V7 to V9, positive delta waves in V3R to V9R, a normal QRS axis and early precordial R wave transition (20 of 23 patients). Left posterior sites manifested negative Delta waves in L3, a VF, V7 to V9, V7R to V9R and a prominent R wave in V1 (4 of 5 patients). Left posteroparaseptal sites had the same pattern plus negative delta waves in L2, a superior QRS axis, and RS or Rs morphology in V1 (3 of 3 patients). Right posteroparaseptal sites had negative delta waves in L2, L3, a VF, V3R to V9R, positive delta waves in V7 to V9, a superior QRS axis and an R greater than S in V1 (10 of 11 patients). Right free wall locations manifested negative delta waves in L3, a VR, V3R to V9R, positive delta waves in V7 to V9, a normal QRS axis and R wave transition in V3 to V5 with QS morphology since V3R to V9R (6 of 7 patients).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

特发性左室流出道室性心律失常的心电图特点

探讨特发性左室流出道室性心律失常患者的心电图特点。对 7例特发性左室流出道室性早搏 (简称室早 )、室性心动过速 (简称室速 )患者进行心电图分析 ,并行心内电生理检查及射频消融治疗 ,同时对 10例预激综合征患者成功消融房室旁道后行主动脉瓣上及瓣下起搏 ,记录同步 12导联起搏心电图。对比分析两组病例体表心电图QRS波图形特点。结果 :7例左室流出道室早、室速患者经心内电生理检查证实 6例起源于冠状动脉窦内 ,1例起源于左室流出道主动脉瓣右瓣下方 ,所有患者经射频消融成功治疗室性心律失常。对照组 10例在主动脉瓣下起搏(其中 6例同时在主动脉瓣上起搏 )获得同步 12导联起搏心电图。两组病例体表心电图共同特点为 :QRS波额面电轴向下 ,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF导联主波向上 ,QRS波在V2 或V3 前移行为Rs或R型。结论 :左室流出道为特发性室早、室速发生部位之一 ,体表心电图有其独特性 ,导管射频消融治疗安全有效。     

Transient alterations of the QRS complex and ST segment during percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty of the right and left circumflex coronary arteries

The dynamic QRS amplitude changes that appear during 1-vessel percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the right and left circumflex coronary arteries were studied in 20 patients using continuous 3-lead electrocardiographic recordings representing leads aVF, V2 and V5. The balloon inflations that produced the greatest extent of ST-segment deviation were identified for each lead ("maximally ischemic periods"). QRS amplitude measurements were performed manually at both the PR and shifted J-ST baselines at 10-second intervals during these periods to determine that baseline from which the R and S waves most nearly maintained their control amplitudes. There was no significant baseline relation for either the R or the S waves in leads V2 and V5 during ischemia. However, the R-wave changes in lead aVF were significantly associated with the PR- versus the J-ST-segment baseline (p = 0.007); the S wave, when it occurred, had no tendency for either baseline. The electrocardiographic records were also examined visually for characteristics of left posterior (inferior) "periischemic block" likely to occur uniquely in patients with a dominant right or left circumflex occlusion. There were 2 patients with obstruction of the right circumflex artery who exhibited the characteristics of periischemic block during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, as evidenced by an increase in R-wave duration, amplitude or both in lead aVF.     

Premature ventricular contraction‐induced concealed retrograde penetration: Electrocardiographic manifestations on anterograde ventricular preexcitation

In patients with manifest anterograde ventricular preexcitation, the electrocardiographic manifestation of the anomalous conduction through the simultaneous conduction over the atrioventricular (AV) node and the accessory pathway (“delta wave”); depends on several factors, the most representative being the conduction velocity over one or another connection. Occasionally, ventricular ectopic beats may present with retrograde penetration over one or both conduction pathways (AV node and/or accessory pathway), impacting on the morphology of the next immediate anterogradely conducted QRS. We present a case of a young patient with WPW syndrome and ectopic ventricular beats with different manifestations on the postectopic QRS due to concealed penetration of different conduction pathways.     

Electrocardiogram in patients with fasciculoventricular pathways: a comparative study with anteroseptal and midseptal accessory pathways.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe the ECG profile of a cohort of patients with fasciculoventricular pathways and compare the profile with the ECG of patients with anteroseptal and midseptal accessory pathways. BACKGROUND: Electrophysiologic findings suggest fasciculoventricular pathways insert into the septal region. Findings also suggest the 12-lead surface ECG during sinus rhythm is similar to the ECG of patients with anteroseptal and midseptal bypass tracts. METHODS: Four different observers analyzed the 12-lead ECG of seven patients with fasciculoventricular pathways (group I) and the ECG of 20 patients with midseptal AV accessory pathways (group II) and 20 patients with anteroseptal AV accessory pathways (group III). The following variables were analyzed: ECG frontal plane QRS and delta wave axis; angle between the QRS and the delta wave axis; QRS width; R/S ratio in lead III; presence of a negative delta wave in inferior leads; and precordial lead transition to R/S >1. RESULTS: The ECG of fasciculoventricular pathways shows a variable pattern. It shares some features with an anteroseptal accessory pathway and others with a midseptal accessory pathway. A narrower QRS width was the most important variable in distinguishing a fasciculoventricular pathway from a septally located AV bypass tract (P <.0001). The angle between the QRS and the delta wave frontal plane axis could differentiate a fasciculoventricular pathway from an anteroseptal bypass tract (P <.0001) but not from a midseptal accessory pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The sinus rhythm ECG of patients with fasciculoventricular pathways shows similarities with ECGs of patients with anteroseptal and midseptal accessory pathways, but the QRS complex usually is narrower. The ECG recorded during sinus rhythm cannot reliably differentiate fasciculoventricular pathways with a broad QRS complex from anteroseptal or midseptal bypass tracts.     

预激综合征对QRS波终末向量的影响

为探讨预激综合征对QRS波终末向量的影响和终末向量改变的临床意义 ,选择经射频消融 (RFCA)术治愈的显性预激综合征患者 12 9例 ,据旁道部位分 9组 :左前壁 (LA)、左侧壁 (LL)、左后壁 (LP)、右前壁 (RA)、右侧壁(RL)、右后壁 (RP)、右前间隔 (RAS)、右中间隔 (RMS)、右后间隔 (RPS) ,对比分析RFCA术前、后心电图。结果 :①与消融旁道后心电图对比 ,12 9例显性预激综合征均影响终末向量。②终末向量改变与旁道位置有关 :aVL(和Ⅰ )导联 :终末负向波振幅增加 ,或终末正向波变为负向波主要出现在LA、LL旁道 ;终末正向波振幅增加 ,或负向波振幅减小或变为正向波主要出现在LP、RA、RL、RP、RAS、RMS、RPS旁道。Ⅲ (和aVF)导联 :终末正向波振幅增加 ,或负向波变为正向波 ,或终末无变化主要出现在LA、LL、RA、RAS旁道 ;终末正向波变为负向波 ,或正向波振幅减小 ,或负向波振幅增加主要出现在LP、RL、RP、RMS、RPS旁道。V1导联 :终末负向波振幅减小或消失主要出现在LA、LL、LP旁道 ;终末负向波振幅增加主要出现在RA、RL、RP、RAS、RMS、RPS旁道。③终末向量改变与预激波有关 :aVL、Ⅰ、Ⅱ、aVF、Ⅲ、V1导联QRS波终末向量的变化与预激向量方向基本一致 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :观察终末向量的改变可能有助于delta波不     

Mahaim and James fibers as a basis for a unique variety of ventricular preexcitation

This report concerns pathologic findings in a 54 year old woman with intermittent preexcitation who died of carcinoma of the breast. Electrocardiograms revealed predominantly normal sinus rhythm with a normal P-R interval and narrow QRS complex. Episodes of sinus rhythm, short P-R interval and QRS widening (with delta wave) were also recorded. During preexcitation QS complexes were noted in leads II, III, aVF, V₁ and V₄ to V₆. Delta waves were negative in leads II, III, aVF and V₁, isoelectric in leads V₄ to V₆ and positive only in leads I, aVL, V₂ and V₃. This case thus defies classification into any known variety of preexcitation.

Complete serial sections, cut through the entire conduction system and both atrioventricular (A-V) rims, totaled 18,600 sections. These revealed no bundle of Kent. Instead, Mahaim fibers histologically identified as His bundle tissue gave off from the A-V bundle to both the right and the left sides of the septum associated with the normal fibers of James. This case reveals that (1) fibers of James can bypass the A-V node, (2) fibers of Mahaim can conduct, and (3) there are types of preexcitation in addition to types A and B.     

Non-invasive diagnosis of concealed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome by detection of concealed anterograde pre-excitation

Electrophysiological findings suggest that concealed anterograde conduction through accessory pathways may exist even during sinus rhythm in patients with so-called concealed Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. To evaluate the pre-excitation characteristics in various types of WPW syndrome, high-resolution electrocardiograms were analyzed in 81 consecutive WPW syndrome patients and 50 age-matched normal subjects. The WPW group consisted of 30 cases of concealed WPW diagnosed by electrophysiological study, 38 cases of manifest WPW in which apparent delta waves were constant, and 13 cases of intermittent WPW in which the delta waves appeared periodically. The duration of the low-amplitude, high-frequency components of the signal-averaged filtered QRS complex that preceded the earliest upstroke of the surface QRS, including any delta waves (preceding potential duration, PPD), and the duration of low amplitude signals less than 10 microV (I-LAS10) or 20 microV (I-LAS20) were measured as parameters of pre-excitation. The PPDs in concealed and intermittent WPW were both significantly longer than in manifest WPW or in control subjects (6.8+/-2.7 ms, 7.9+/-3.5 ms vs 2.3+/-3.2 ms, 1.0+/-1.6 ms, both p<0.0001). Abnormally prolonged PPDs (>4 ms) were observed in 90% of concealed WPW cases and 76.9% of intermittent WPW, but in only 4% of normal subjects and 31.6% of manifest WPW. Both I-LAS10 and I-LAS20 in the 3 types of WPW syndrome were significantly longer than in normal subjects. The initial portion of the filtered QRS in concealed WPW closely resembled that of intermittent WPW. These results strongly suggest that in concealed WPW anterograde conduction through accessory pathways does occur and produces small amounts of pre-excitation even during sinus rhythm. The study concluded that, despite its name, concealed WPW is not completely concealed, and that non-invasive diagnosis during sinus rhythm is possible by using high-resolution electrocardiography to detect the concealed anterograde pre-excitation.     

The electrocardiogram during sinus rhythm and tachycardia in patients with Mahaim fibers: the importance of an "rS" pattern in lead III

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to identify the electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics of the Mahaim fiber. BACKGROUND: Mahaim fibers are slowly conducting accessory pathways reaching into the right ventricle. They often play a role in tachycardias. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 40 patients with Mahaim fibers. Five patients had associated Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and were excluded from the study. Two patients had a short atrioventricular decremental accessory pathway and were also excluded. The remaining 33 patients had a tachycardia with anterograde conduction over a Mahaim fiber. Twenty were female. Their mean age was 24 +/- 10 years. RESULTS: The most common pattern of minimal preexcitation during sinus rhythm was an rS pattern in lead III. This was found in 20 patients. There was a match between the presence of rS in lead III during sinus rhythm and left axis deviation during tachycardia with anterograde conduction over the Mahaim fiber. After ablation, a different QRS pattern emerged in lead III, indicating the absence of conduction over the Mahaim fiber. To obtain information on the prevalence of an rS pattern in lead III in age-matched controls with palpitations and without structural heart disease, the 12-lead ECG of 200 young individuals were examined. An rS pattern in lead III was found in 6%. CONCLUSIONS: A narrow QRS with an rS pattern in lead III during sinus rhythm in a patient with a history of palpitations should alert the physician to the possibility of a Mahaim fiber. During tachycardia, these patients typically show a left bundle branch block-like QRS complex with left axis deviation.     

形态心电图标准在原有束支阻滞伴宽QRS波群心动过速鉴别诊断中的特异性评价

为探讨形态心电图标准是否适用原有束支阻滞（ＢＢＢ）或心肌梗塞患者合并宽ＱＲＳ波群心动过速的鉴别诊断,选择窦性心律呈ＢＢＢ的患者２０５例［左束支阻滞（ＬＢＢＢ）４５例、右束支阻带（ＲＢＢＢ）１６０例］,分析形态心电图标准用于鉴别宽ＱＲＳ波群心动过速的特异性。胸导联ＱＲＳ波群图形一致、胸导联无ＲＳ型;ＲＢＢＢ时任一胸导联ＲＳ时限＞１００ｍｓ,Ｖ１导联单向（Ｒ）或双向（ｑＲ、ＱＲ、ＲＳ）、呈左兔耳征,Ｖ６导联或ａＶＦ导联Ｑ波,Ｖ６导联Ｒ／Ｓ＜１;ＬＢＢＢ时,Ｖ１、Ｖ２导联ｒ波时限＞３０ｍｓ,Ｖ１、Ｖ２导联Ｓ波降支钝挫,Ｖ６导联或ａＶＦ导联ｑ（Ｑ）波等１２条特异性较高。ＱＲＳ波群时限＞１４０ｍｓ;ＲＢＢＢ时电轴重度左、右偏,ａＶＦ导联Ｒ／Ｓ＜１;ＬＢＢＢ时Ｖ１、Ｖ２导联ＲＳ时限＞６０ｍｓ,Ⅰ导联负向ＱＲＳ波群,Ｖ４较Ｖ１导联Ｓ波振幅更深等７条特异性较低。心肌梗死合并宽ＱＲＳ波群心动过速时采用上述标准鉴别诊断有一定局限。     

Augmentation of QRS wave amplitudes in the precordial leads during narrow QRS tachycardia

INTRODUCTION: QRS morphology during narrow QRS supraventricular tachycardia in patients without ventricular preexcitation generally is considered the same as that seen during sinus rhythm. This study presents a new ECG observation that the QRS amplitude increased significantly in leads V2 through V5 during tachycardia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the same ECG machine and the same electrode patches applied to the same electrode positions, 12-lead ECGs during sinus rhythm and narrow QRS tachycardia were analyzed comparatively in 23 patients without ventricular preexcitation. Precordial QRS amplitudes were measured as the vertical distance from the peak of the R to the nadir of the S wave. The amplitudes also were measured during atrial rapid pacing and extrastimulation. Furthermore, ventricular excitation during sinus rhythm and tachycardia was studied using body surface mapping. Body surface distributions of QRS potentials and ventricular activation time (VAT) were displayed as maps. Gross area of QRS (AQRS, equivalent to the QRS amplitude) was compared during sinus rhythm versus tachycardia. During tachycardia, QRS amplitude significantly increased in leads V2 through V5, without any noticeable change in the transitional zone or QRS wave duration. Increase of QRS amplitude also was noted during atrial rapid pacing and extrastimulation. Gross AQRS values during tachycardia significantly increased in the left parasternal area, whereas QRS isopotential and VAT isochronal maps were similar during sinus rhythm and tachycardia, suggesting a minimal role of conduction delay in the increase of QRS amplitude. CONCLUSION: QRS wave amplitude significantly increased in leads V2 through V5 during narrow QRS tachycardia compared with QRS waves in sinus rhythm. Increase of QRS amplitude seemed unlikely due to a conduction delay within the ventricular myocardium.     

Presence of Septal Q Waves in a Patient with WPW and Manifest Preexcitation

Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome (WPW) is characteristically diagnosed by the presence of a short PR interval, a delta wave, and a wide QRS wave on the surface ECG. In the absence of these clear criteria, absent septal Q waves have been used as additional evidence suggestive of subtle preexcitation. We report a patient with WPW and manifest anteroseptal (AS) accessory pathway who had prominent septal Q waves on the surface ECG. This case highlights that physicians should be careful not to dismiss preexcitation in the presence of septal Q waves.     

Wolff-Parkinson-White VCG patterns that mimic other cardiac pathologies: a correlative study with the preexcitation pathway localization

Vectorcardiograms (VCGs) of 44 patients with a Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome have been analyzed with the aim to correlate the QRS loop patterns with specific preexcitation sites. The VCG QRS loops were analyzed to determine whether conduction abnormalities and myocardial infarction (MI)-like patterns observed in the WPW syndrome could be related to specific preexcitation sites identified by surgery as well as by body surface potential mapping (BSPM). Left bundle branch block pattern was observed with anteroseptal (AS) preexcitation, anterior MI pattern was seen with lateral right ventricle (LRV) preexcitation, left anterior fascicular block was observed with posterior right ventricle (PRV) preexcitation, inferoposterior and strictly posterior MI pattern was found with posteroseptal (PS) and posterior left ventricle (PLV) preexcitation, right bundle branch block was seen in lateral left ventricle (LLV) preexcitation, and right bundle branch block was observed with left posterior fascicular block in anterior left ventricle (ALV) preexcitation. These VCG criteria seem to identify accurately the preexcitation sites as observed by delta wave BSPM and at surgery investigations. Consequently, they could be useful in localizing the preexcitation site in cases of ambiguous delta vector orientation.     

Accessory pathway localization by QRS polarity in children with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

INTRODUCTIONS: Location of the accessory pathway (AP) in Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome can be determined accurately by the QRS polarity on resting ECG. These ECG characteristics may be different in children, and no algorithm has yet been tested. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 153 resting ECGs of symptomatic children with WPW syndrome were retrospectively analyzed. The anatomic AP location had been established fluoroscopically at eight possible sites during radiofrequency catheter ablation. Two independent observers predicted AP location on blinded ECGs with a QRS polarity algorithm for adults using leads II, III, aVL, V1, and V2. Subsequently, the QRS polarity for all individual ECG leads was evaluated and a new algorithm for children was devised. With the adult algorithm, the observers correctly predicted only 55% to 58% of AP locations. The septal and right-sided pathways often were inseparable, and mid-septal and parahisian pathways were missed. In the new children's algorithm, left lateral, left posteroseptal, and posteroseptal pathways shared a positive or intermediate QRS polarity on V1, with the left lateral pathway separated by a positive QRS polarity on lead III. Negative QRS polarity on lead V1 and positive QRS polarity on lead V3 were shared by right posteroseptal, mid-septal, parahisian, and anteroseptal pathways, with the latter two having a positive QRS polarity on lead aVF. Right lateral pathways had negative QRS polarity on lead V1 and negative or intermediate QRS polarity on lead V3. Overall accuracy for these five regions was 90%. CONCLUSION: AP characterization by QRS polarity in children with WPW syndrome is more diverse than in adults and requires other ECG leads to establish five AP regions.     

"Atypical" posteroseptal accessory pathway in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

The posteroseptal accessory pathway in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is associated with a delta wave that is negative in the inferior electrocardiographic (ECG) leads and the occurrence of the earliest retrograde atrial activation near the orifice of the coronary sinus during atrioventricular (AV) reentrant tachycardia. Seventy-two patients with a posteroseptal accessory pathway underwent epicardial mapping before operative ablation. The earliest epicardial activation occurred at the posterosuperior process of the left ventricle in all patients. Dissection of the posteroseptal region (right atrial-left ventricular sulcus) resulted in permanent loss of preexcitation in 69 patients and failure to abolish preexcitation permanently in 3. At reoperation in two patients, preexcitation was abolished by discrete cryoablation of the left side of the interatrial septum near the AV node approached through the atrial septum in the normothermic beating heart. At reoperation, one patient had extensive AV node dissection. All patients have had permanent loss of preexcitation. The vast majority of posteroseptal accessory pathways ("typical") are epicardial and ablated by dissection of the posteroseptal region. Rarely, posteroseptal accessory pathways are "atypical" in that they are intraseptally located near the AV node on the left atrial endocardial surface.     

Electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of midseptal accessory pathways

BACKGROUND : The purpose of the present study was to investigate the electrocardiographic and electrophysiologic characteristics of right midseptal (RMS) and left midseptal (LMS) accessory pathways (APs), and to develop a stepwise algorithm to differentiate RMS from LMS APs. METHODS AND RESULTS: From May 1989 to February 2004, 1591 patients with AP-mediated tachyarrhythmia underwent RF catheter ablation in this institution, and 38 (2.4%) patients had MS APs. The delta wave and precordial QRS transition during sinus rhythm, retrograde P wave during orthodromic tachycardia, and electrophysiologic characteristic and catheter ablation in 30 patients with RMS APs and 8 patients with LMS APs were analyzed. There was no significant difference in electrophysiologic characteristics and catheter ablation between RMS and LMS APs. The polarity of retrograde P wave during orthodromic tachycardia also showed no statistical difference between patients with RMS and LMS APs. The delta wave polarity was positive in leads I, aVL, and V3 to V6 in patients with RMS and LMS APs. Patients with LMS APs had a higher incidence of biphasic delta wave in lead V1 than patients with RMS APs (80% vs. 15%, P=0.012). The distributions of precordial QRS transition were different between RMS APs (leads V2; n = 10, V3; n = 7 and V4; n = 3) and LMS APs (leads V1; n = 1 and V2; n = 4) (P = 0.03). The combination of a delta negative wave in lead V1 or precordial QRS transition in lead V3 or V4 had a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 80%, positive predictive value of 95%, and negative predictive value of 66% in predicting an RMS AP. CONCLUSIONS: Delta wave polarity in lead V1 and precordial QRS transition may differentiate RMS and LMS APs.     

Clinical and electrophysiologic observations in patients with concealed accessory atrioventricular bypass tracts

In 12 of 46 consecutive patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or atrial flutter-fibrillation, without electrocardiographic evidence of ventricular preexcitation, electrophysiologic studies suggested the presence of accessory atrioventricular (A-V) pathways capable only of retrograde conduction (concealed Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome). The ages of these patients ranged from 29 days to 71 years (mean 39.2 years). Most patients were clinically symptomatic with palpitations, dizziness, weakness or congestive heart failure. One patient had “cardiac dysrhythmia” described by an obstetrician during intrauterine life. Eleven patients manifested A-V reciprocating tachycardia involving the normal pathway for anterograde conduction and the accessory pathway for retrograde conduction. The remaining patient manifested recurrent paroxysms of atrial flutter-fibrillation as a result of rapid ventriculoatrial activation through the accessory pathway during the atrial vulnerable phase.

The electrophysiologic observations were analyzed with regard to clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics in these patients. The presence of concealed accessory pathways should be suspected in patients presenting with (1) an “incessant” form of tachycardia, (2) spontaneous onset of A-V reciprocal rhythms or reciprocating tachycardias after acceleration of the sinus rate without antecedent atrial extrasystoles or P-R interval prolongation, (3) slowing of the tachycardia rate consequent to the development of functional bundle branch block, (4) retrograde P waves (negative in leads II, III and aVF) discernible after the QRS complexes, with the R-P interval being shorter than the P-R interval during both A-V reciprocal rhythm and reciprocating tachycardia, and (5) oc-currence of atrial flutter-fibrillation in association with A-V reciprocal rhythms.

It is suggested that medical treatment in patients having concealed accessory pathways should be aimed at increasing the refractoriness of either the A-V node or the accessory pathway for reciprocating tachycardia, while increasing the refractoriness of the atrium and the accessory pathway in cases with atrial flutter-fibrillation. Pacemaker therapy and surgical intervention may be indicated in selected patients refractory to antiarrhythmic agents.     

Interventricular septal motion during preexcitation and normal conduction in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: echocardiographic and electrophysiologic correlation.

Interventricular septal motion was studied by echocardiogram in 20 consecutive patients with documented Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome before and during electrophysiologic evaluation using His bundle recordings and pacing techniques. Characteristic abnormal interventricular septal motion was seen in 8 of 11 patients with type B WPW syndrome (groups I and II). All eight patients had electrocardiographic patterns consistent with an anomalous pathway located in the anterior right ventricular wall (group I). In five of these eight patients normalization of the QRS complex for one or more beats was accomplished and produced normalization of the septal motion in four; whereas in the fifth patient, who had an underlying atrial septal defect, the abnormal septal motion remained abnormal. All nine patients with type A WPW syndrome (groups III to V) had normal septal motion both during total preexcitation and during normalization of the QRS complex. The normalization of the abnormal interventricular septal motion with normalization of the QRS complex in type B WPW syndrome strongly suggests that the abnormal motion is related to an abnormal sequence of ventricular depolarization during preexcitation. Furthermore, persistent abnormal septal motion after normalization of the QRS complex suggests that other factors such as right ventricular volume overload may be responsible. Likewise, when abnormal septal motion occurs in the presence of type A WPW syndrome, an explanation other than preexcitation must be sought.