The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 38, 176-180, Copyright © 1984 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
The Wolff-Parkinson-white syndrome and the beginnings of direct arrhythmia surgery
WC Sealy
The bundle of Kent, one of the two pathways involved in the reentry
tachycardia of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, was identified and then
interrupted fifteen years ago. This marked the beginning of direct
arrhythmia surgery. The patient was a 31-year-old man with a right free
wall pathway and persistent tachycardia refractory to medical treatment. In
the present report, the historical landmarks in the description of the
morphology of the conduction system are reviewed. Current methods of
interrupting the Kent bundle, based on experience with more than 200
surgical patients, are discussed. Included is the newer method of
simplifying the surgical procedure with cryothermia. Speculation about the
future of direct arrhythmia surgery is given in the concluding remarks.