title: [Therapeutic efficacy and diagnostic potential of adenosine in infants and children].
abstract: In an open study a total of 53 episodes of supraventricular reentrant tachycardia in 31 infants and children were treated with intravenous adenosine at two centers. Adenosine was given as a rapid intravenous bolus injection beginning with a dose of 0.1 mg/kg. If there was persistence of the dysrhythmia dosage was increased in 0.05 mg/kg-steps up to a maximum dose of 0.3 mg/kg if necessary. The median dose required for successful termination of the tachycardias was 0.15 mg/kg. In 26 patients with 48 episodes of regular narrow-QRS-complex tachycardia adenosine was used as the therapeutic agent of first choice. In all patients a shortlasting atrioventricular block occurred within seconds after the administration of adenosine. In 42 of 48 episodes of tachycardia (87%) the dysrhythmias were converted to a stable sinus rhythm. In six episodes (13%) recurrence of the tachycardia was observed immediately. In five children adenosine was used for diagnostic purpose: in three children with wide-QRS-complex tachycardia successful termination with adenosine proved the supraventricular origin of the dysrhythmia. In two children with suspected atrial flutter adenosine-induced atrioventricular block allowed identification of flutter waves in one patient while in the other patient no effect of adenosine was seen. Side-effects such as flush, chest-pain or abdominal pain were frequent but mild and only of a few seconds' duration. No influence of adenosine on blood pressure was noted. Only in one child with previously unknown sinus node dysfunction was a relevant electrophysiologic side effect seen: a prolonged sinus arrest with asystole of 12 seconds' duration occurred after adenosine administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Pädiatrische Kardiologie, Universitätsklinik Bern.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Pfammatter
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bachmann
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Stocker
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kallfelz
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000241:Adenosine
vernacular_title: Therapeutischer Nutzen und diagnostische Möglichkeiten von Adenosin bei Säuglingen und Kindern.