title: Pre-excited atrial fibrillation triggered by intravenous adenosine: a commonly used drug with potentially life-threatening adverse effects.
abstract: Although serious adverse events following adenosine administration are rare, it should only be administered in an environment where continuous ECG monitoring and emergency resuscitation equipment are available. The case report describes the development of pre-excited atrial fibrillation in a 31-year-old woman with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome following the administration of adenosine. She had previously been fit and well and was admitted to the coronary care unit with a 2 h history of regular palpitations. A 12-lead ECG showed a narrow QRS complex tachycardia. Carotid sinus massage was unsuccessful in terminating the tachycardia and the patient subsequently received rapid boluses of intravenous adenosine. The cardiac rhythm degenerated into atrial fibrillation with ventricular pre-excitation following 12 mg adenosine.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Division, The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough TS4 3BW, UK. a.turley@btopenworld.com
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Turley
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thambyrajah
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014927:Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000241:Adenosine