What happens if Wolf Parkinson White comes back?

Fed,

Thanks for your question. 

Wolf Parkinson White is an electrical abnormality of the heart in which the heart's electrical impulse enters a circular pathway which stimulates the heart to beat at a very fast rate.  This is felt as palpitations, and can be accompanied by lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and many other symptoms depending on the rate and the individual.  The treatment can be medication and/or a procedure to actually cut this pathway (an ablation).  The cut is usually made with radiofrequency waves, and is performed during a special catheterization of the heart where the electrical pathways are "mapped" by the cardiologist/electro-physiologist.

Unfortunately, it is possible for the symptoms to return.  The impulses could find an alternative route and thus enter another "loop".  Should this be the case, you may require another procedure to correct the problem.  However, the first thing you need to do is make an appointment with the cardiologist to determine if you are having symptoms of Wolf Parkinson White (WPW) or due to another problem unrelated to your original disorder.  This could be early heart beats from your pacemaker (PACs) or extra heart beats from the ventricle (PVCs).  Other possibilities include tachycardias not related to the WPW, other atrial arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation.   But the first step is to define what is causing your symptoms.  Once this is done, then a plan of treatment can be outlined. 

Best wishes and feel better.

Martin Cane, M.D.