Final answer:
Radiofrequency catheter ablation is the preferred treatment method for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome with symptomatic arrhythmias, aiming to remove the abnormal electrical pathway. Beta blockers or procainamide may also be used to control symptoms, and in chronic cases, an artificial pacemaker could be implemented.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preferred treatment of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in patients with symptomatic arrhythmias is the use of medical procedures or surgery such as radiofrequency catheter ablation. This procedure is targeted to eliminate the extra electrical pathway causing the arrhythmia. Medications such as antiarrhythmic agents, beta blockers, or potassium channel blockers like procainamide may also be used to manage symptoms. However, for long-term treatment and potential cure, radiofrequency catheter ablation is favored. In severe cases where immediate treatment is crucial, a controlled electric shock in the form of cardioversion or defibrillation may be utilized to restore a normal heart rhythm.
When arrhythmias become a chronic issue, an artificial pacemaker might be implanted to provide electrical impulses to the heart muscle, ensuring effective contraction and blood pumping. This is commonly done when the heart maintains a junctional rhythm originating in the AV node, and a normal sinus rhythm is desired.