SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF WOLFF-PARKINSON-WHITE SYNDROME - A RETROSPECTROSCOPIC VIEW

The surgical treatment of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome made its appearance in 1968 when Dr W. C. Sealy performed the first direct surg ical intervention for ablating an accessory connection in a patient wi th incessant atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia. The surgical appr oach fell into disfavor in 1990 when catheter ablation using radiofreq uency energy was adopted into widespread use. In this presentation, I will attempt to assess the scientific value of the surgical experience using the scholarly tool, the ''retrospectroscope,'' and also to answ er the questions, Was it worth it? What was learned? and What was achi eved? We conclude that a large body of scientific knowledge and skill was brought to light by this experience and, of even more importance, passed on for best use to the catheter surgeons.