Two deaths after prehospital use of adenosine.
Two patients in the prehospital setting died immediately after receiving adenosine for presumed supraventricular tachycardia. Both patients' cardiac rhythms were atrial fibrillation rather than supraventricular tachycardia, and their unstable conditions resulted from underlying diseases-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary embolism-rather than the tachycardia. Misinterpretation of the cause of tachycardia as well as the electrocardiographic findings may be responsible for adverse outcomes.
Haynes
B E
BE
Emergency Medical Services, County of Orange, Health Care Agency, Santa Ana, California 92701, USA.
D000241:Adenosine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors; D008875:Middle Aged; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000175:diagnosis
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000241:Adenosine