In the pooled analysis there was no significant difference in reversion rate or relapse rate between the two drugs .
Adenosine and verapamil are both effective treatments for supraventricular tachycardia in the majority of patients .
BACKGROUND Patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia frequently present to the Emergency Department .
Where vagal manoeuvres fail , the two most commonly used drugs are adenosine and calcium channel antagonists .
Both are known to be effective but both have a significant side-effect profile .
OBJECTIVES To examine the relative effects of adenosine and calcium channel antagonists and , if possible , to determine which is most appropriate for the management of supraventricular tachycardia .
Adenosine versus verapamil in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia: a randomized double-crossover trial.
The safety and efficacy of verapamil and adenosine in the acute termination of supraventricular tachycardia were compared in a r and omized double-crossover trial . Of 32 eligible patients with either spontaneous or induced narrow complex tachycardia , seven ( 22 % ) patients experienced conversion to sinus rhythm with carotid sinus massage . The other 25 patients were r and omly assigned to receive either adenosine ( n = 14 ) or verapamil ( n = 11 ) . Relative drug efficacies were 100 % for adenosine versus 73 % for verapamil , p = NS . Adenosine given at less than or equal to 120 micrograms/kg caused conversion in 12 ( 86 % ) of 14 patients . The other two patients required 20 mg adenosine for conversion . After conversion the systolic blood pressure increased significantly in the adenosine group but not in the verapamil group . Reinitiation of tachycardia occurred in two ( 14 % ) of 14 patients r and omized to the adenosine group . Serious adverse hemodynamic effects were observed in one ( 9 % ) of 11 patients r and omized to verapamil . The incidence of conversion arrhythmias was similar in both treatment groups ( adenosine 57 % , verapamil 50 % , p = NS )
In the pooled analysis there was no significant difference in reversion rate or relapse rate between the two drugs .
Adenosine and verapamil are both effective treatments for supraventricular tachycardia in the majority of patients .
BACKGROUND Patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia frequently present to the Emergency Department .
Where vagal manoeuvres fail , the two most commonly used drugs are adenosine and calcium channel antagonists .
Both are known to be effective but both have a significant side-effect profile .
OBJECTIVES To examine the relative effects of adenosine and calcium channel antagonists and , if possible , to determine which is most appropriate for the management of supraventricular tachycardia .