title: Oral verapamil in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia recurrence control: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adenosine is the first-line medication in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Because it is cleared so rapidly from the circulation, recurrence of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia after initial successful conversion may occur.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to evaluate the role of oral verapamil administration to control early recurrences of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia after adenosine infusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with acute paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and no contraindications for adenosine or verapamil treatment were included in study. All patients received an adenosine protocol (6 mg rapid bolus intravenous injection followed by two repeated doses of 12 mg if necessary). Patients in the adenosine-only group did not received any other medications but patients in the adenosine/verapamil group received 40 mg verapamil orally immediately after converting the rhythm to sinus rhythm. All patients were followed up for 6 h in the acute care area of the emergency department under continuous cardiac monitoring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 113 patients were assessed for eligibility and 92 patients were randomized into two groups (adenosine only versus adenosine/verapamil). There was no statistically significant difference in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia recurrence rate between the two groups in the first 30 min after treatment. Recurrence rate was statistically significantly lower in the adenosine/verapamil group than in the adenosine-only group between 30 and 120 min after treatment and thereafter. Two patients in the adenosine-only group experienced flushing and one patient in the adenosine/verapamil group experienced decreased systolic blood pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral verapamil can decrease paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia recurrence after successful control with intravenous adenosine.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine Department, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shaker
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jahanian
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine Department, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Niyayesh Street, Sattarkhan Avenue, Tehran 14456, Iran marziehfathi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fathi
authors.affiliation: Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: MohammadAmin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zare
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014700:Verapamil
keywords: early recurrence control; oral verapamil; paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia