What is the preferred investigation method to assess for Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome?

The preferred investigation method for assessing Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome is the electrocardiogram (ECG). This condition is characterized by the presence of an accessory pathway that can lead to episodes of tachycardia. An ECG is the most effective way to visualize the electrical activity of the heart and can provide critical information about the conduction system.

In a patient with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, the ECG typically reveals specific findings such as a short PR interval and a characteristic delta wave, which represents early ventricular activation due to the accessory pathway. These features are essential for diagnosing the syndrome and distinguishing it from other types of atrioventricular reentrant tachycardias.

While echocardiograms can be useful in assessing structural heart abnormalities and a Holter monitor can provide information on heart rhythms over a 24-hour period, neither of these methods is specifically aimed at identifying the unique conduction anomalies associated with Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome. A chest X-ray primarily evaluates heart size and lung conditions and does not provide information about the electrical impulses of the heart necessary for diagnosing this syndrome. Thus, the ECG is the gold standard for the diagnosis of Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome.