J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  1998 Sep;9(3):401-406.

A Comparision of Adenosine and Verapamil for the Treatment of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia

• Oh JH
• Choi SW
• Kim SH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: According to the 1992 version of ACLS guideline, adenosine is recommended as the first line drug far the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia(PSYT). But adenosine is not used frequently in our country, despite currency proven effect and safety. Therefore we tried to compare the efficacy and safety of adenosine with verapamil for the treatment far PSVT.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We prospectively reviewed charles of PSVT patients admitted to YongDong Severance Hospital from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 1996. These patients were randomly divided into two groups. The flat group was given 6mg of adenosine initially, and another 12mg was given within 5 minutes if fast dose failed. The other group was given 5mg of verapamil initially, and if failed, 10mg was given within 10 minutes. The results were analyzed by Chi-square test and student-t method.
RESULTS
In converting PSVT to normal rhythm, adenosine and verapamil showed similar results and there was no difference between the two Groups in frequency of side elects, but serious arrhythmia such as ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia was not seen in the adenosine group.
CONCLUSION
Adenosine not only showed comparable effect and safety, but also had shorter action time than verapamil. Therefore we recommand adenosine, as a safe and effective fort line drug for PSVT.

MeSH Terms

Adenosine*
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Humans
Prospective Studies
Tachycardia, Supraventricular*
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Ventricular Fibrillation
Verapamil*
Adenosine
Verapamil