[Transient atrial fibrillation induced by adenosine in a patient with atrial tachycardia].
The administration of adenosine during atrial tachycardia usually terminates the arrhythmia or induces AV block and makes the diagnosis clear. We present a patient with atrial tachycardia in which the administration of adenosine induced a transient atrial fibrillation (AF). A continuous transition between both arrhythmias was observed and the original tachycardia persisted after the termination of the AF. This proarrhythmic effect may be due to the adenosine-mediated shortening of the atrial refractory periods, which produces a decreased wavelength of the reentry circuits and the potential coexistence of several wave-fronts in the atria, favoring the development of AF. The recognition of this uncommon effect is important, since the repeated administration of increasing doses of adenosine may induce sustained AF.
García Alberola
A
A
Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, El Palmar, Murcia.
Gómez Agüera
A
A
Sánchez Muñoz
J J
JJ
Martínez Sánchez
J
J
Llamas Lázaro
C
C
Valdés Chávarri
M
M
D000241:Adenosine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018879:Ventricular Premature Complexes / Q000209:etiology
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000241:Adenosine; D000638:Amiodarone