Recurrent reciprocating tachycardias in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; control by the use of a scanning pacemaker.

Frequent episodes of arrhythmias in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome are sometimes unresponsive to medical management. Recent emphasis has been placed on the role of surgery as a means of effectively controlling these patients' tachyarrhythmias; however, in some patients the use of permanent pacing has been espoused as an effective means of controlling arrhythmias. This report documents the efficacy of a new pacemaker with rate-scanning features, which offers significant technical advantages. Subsequent follow-up has documented the efficacy of this unit in the management of a young woman with type-A Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and previously intractable arrhythmias.