title: Respiratory failure following adenosine administration.
abstract: Adenosine is frequently administered to convert the rhythm of patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia to sinus rhythm. Adverse reactions are common after its administration, but these have been short-lived because adenosine has a half-life of less than 10 seconds. This report describes a 54-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who presented with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia at 200 beats/min. A 12-mg bolus injection of adenosine aggravated mild bronchospasm and produced respiratory failure. The patient subsequently required ventilatory support for 9 days. The presence of bronchoconstriction should be considered as a possible contraindication to the administration of intravenous adenosine.
authors: Emergency Medical Services, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033.
authors: K K
authors: KK
authors: Burkhart
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000188:drug therapy; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013806:Theophylline; D000241:Adenosine