When interpreting an EKG, what does the presence of a delta wave indicate?

The presence of a delta wave on an EKG is a key indicator of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. This syndrome is a type of pre-excitation syndrome caused by an extra electrical pathway in the heart, leading to episodes of rapid heart rate (tachycardia). The delta wave is characterized by a slurred upstroke to the QRS complex, which represents the early depolarization of the ventricles due to this abnormal conduction pathway. This finding is critical for diagnosing WPW and can help direct proper treatment and management strategies for patients who experience symptoms associated with this condition.

The other options, while they involve heart function, do not involve the specific EKG pattern of a delta wave. Normal conduction would not exhibit a delta wave, hypertension is not indicated by this characteristic, and ventricular hyperplasia, while affecting heart health, does not correlate with the presence of a delta wave on an EKG. Understanding these distinctions is important for accurate EKG interpretation and patient diagnosis.