Adenosine is safe and effective in the emergency management of tachyarrhythmias

Abstract

To describe three Australasian emergency departments' experience with the use of intravenous adenosine for the treatment of tachyarrhythmias. Prospective uncontrolled study of the indications, efficacy and adverse effects encountered during the use of adenosine for the treatment of regular tachyarrhythmias presenting to the emergency departments of Fremantle, Box Hill and Maroondah Hospitals during a twelve month period. One hundred and two episodes of regular tachyarrhythmia were treated in 87 patients. Of 92 cases of narrow complex tachycardia (NCT), 75 were A‐V nodal in origin. All but four patients (96%) reverted to sinus rhythm although nine subsequently relapsed. Dosages used ranged fr..