Aviationascent
WPW is not an uncommon syndrome. You are lucky in that due to flying you had to have an ECG at an early age and that if you have it, it has been picked up. WPW can and does cause instant death to quite fit individuals engaged in physically stressful activities such as surfing, football etc.
A laymans symptom is that you are aware of your heart operating by which I mean that you can feal it beating in your chest , speeding up and slowing down. Also, raceing after strenuous activity.
However, symptoms or not the ECG will show it. Followed by an Electrophysical study to identify the area of concern.
The good news! WPW is well understood by Cardiologists and a positive outcome is to be expected following RF Ablation, an unpleasant experience during which you will probably be awake, and if you are really tough and interested looking at a monitor while a catheter is guided via your groin to the heart and a number of HF 'burns' carried out to remove the offending pathway(s). This can be botched by the quacks with the subsequent EPS still showing WPS and a period of monthes required for damage caused by the botched burning to recover.
You should be out and about the next day wondering where that beating sensation in your chest has gone.
More good news! A letter from the treating cardiologist to CASA, with a recent annual medical will have you issued with a Class 1 medical certificate endorsed with Renew by Casa Only and a req for annual ECGs. This lasts for two years then you resume normal medical renewal status. Once you have a clear medical there it is a non issue with Airlines. RBBB can show up after corrective surgery on some of the rubbish diognostic ECG machines that many GPs have. Not a problem. For WPW you will learn to look at the Q wave.
So! Its tough. If you have Wilfred Hyde White Syndrome you are lucky it has been picked up. It can be fixed. Character building stuff.
Best of luck mate be positive and you will be right. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.
Oh by the way the term Golden Staph might be something a young fellow spending time in an Australian Hospital might take a passing interest in.
Edited to ad that I have just RTFQd and seen that CASA now want an initial six month review. No Muss.
Last edited by Spotlight; 29th Mar 2007 at 13:55.