See also:
Adenosine is indicated in the ACLS algorithm "[Adult] Tachycardia With a Pulse" for patients with
- stable tachycardia and narrow QRS complex
- stable tachycardia and regular and monomorphic but wide QRS complex (this presumes a supraventricular rhythm with an abnormal conduction pathway causing the wide QRS)
- unstable tachycardia with narrow complexes (although synchronized cardioversion is also indicated and usually given first)
Adenosine temporarily slows conduction through the AV node, which may
- terminate AV node-dependent arrhythmias such as atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
- reveal "hidden" P waves on the ECG such as in Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia (MAT)
- reveals the “saw-tooth" pattern of atrial flutter
Content on this page has not been checked for accuracy. The author's credentials have not been confirmed. Always use multiple peer-reviewed scholarly sources and good clinical judgement in your decision making.
The Compendium platform was created by David Kwinter, MD, CCFP(EM).
Dr. Kwinter is a Cayman Family Doctor. He runs a Family Medicine Clinic at Cayman Medical in George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Dr. Kwinter is a Cayman Family Doctor. He runs a Family Medicine Clinic at Cayman Medical in George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.