A Delta wave on the ECG may indicate which condition?

Prepare for the Dunphy Primary Care Exam 2. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with each question offering hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam!

A Delta wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG) is primarily associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. This condition is characterized by the presence of an accessory conduction pathway, known as the Bundle of Kent, which facilitates electrical conduction from the atria to the ventricles that bypasses the normal route through the AV node. This alternative conduction pathway leads to a rapid ventricular response and can cause a characteristic pattern on the ECG, including the Delta wave.

The Delta wave appears as a slurred upstroke in the QRS complex and indicates pre-excitation of the ventricles due to this accessory pathway. This is a key feature of WPW syndrome, distinguishing it from other conditions listed.

In contrast, conditions like Prinzmetal's angina or aortic stenosis do not typically present with Delta waves on an ECG. Prinzmetal's angina is associated with transient ST segment elevation due to coronary artery vasospasm, while aortic stenosis leads to a variety of findings, including left ventricular hypertrophy, but not Delta waves. Bundle branch block can alter the shape of the QRS complex but does not create the characteristic Delta wave seen in WPW syndrome. Thus, when identifying conditions tied to

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