In a recent study funded by Rock For The Heart at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA,  134 children and young adults with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome were evaluated by both noninvasive (EKG, 24-hour EKG, exercise stress testing) and invasive testing (electrophysiology study in the heart catheterization laboratory) and the results of these tests were compared.  Twenty-six patients were felt to be at low risk of having life-threatening arrhythmias, although one of these patients (4%) was subsequently found to be at higher risk when evaluated in the heart catheterization laboratory.

The project concluded that noninvasive testing does not absolutely correlate with invasive testing but is a reasonably sensitive method to risk stratify Wolff-Parkinson-White patients.  They suggested that stronger consideration be given toward invasive testing in WPW patients who wish to participate in competitive sports, as this population may have a higher risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.