title: [Transient atrial fibrillation induced by adenosine in a patient with atrial tachycardia].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, El Palmar, Murcia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García Alberola
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gómez Agüera
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sánchez Muñoz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez Sánchez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Llamas Lázaro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valdés Chávarri
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000241:Adenosine; D000638:Amiodarone