Adenosine—A drug with myriad utility in the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias
Anunay Gupta, Yash Lokhandwala, Nitish Rai, Amit Malviya
Abstract
Adenosine has been used in the emergency treatment of arrhythmia for more than nine decades. However, cardiologists are often unfamiliar about its basic mechanism and various diagnostic and therapeutic uses, considering it mainly as a therapeutic drug for supraventricular tachycardia. This article discusses the role of adenosine relevant to emergency physicians, cardiologists, and electrophysiologists. Understanding of the mechanisms of adenosine and its electrophysiological effects is discussed first, followed by dosing, side effects, diagnostic, and therapeutic uses. Finally, the role of adenosine in the electrophysiology laboratory is discussed.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineAdenosineSupraventricular tachycardiaDrugIntensive care medicineDosingTachycardiaPharmacologyAnesthesiaInternal medicineCardiac Arrhythmias and TreatmentsCardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmiasAtrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes