If you have SVT with a possible BBB, are there any consequences to treating this with Adenosine? Amiodarone

[DanceCat Squiggy]

If so what are they?

[Spartan 117]

YES Widened Qtc interval resulting in possible heart block, with amiodorone. I don't know a doctor that would order Adenosine for a patient with BBB, yes I would question that order if it was given. I would at least make sure they had truely reveiwed the chart and patient and know that. Adenosine is not the first drug of choice for the rythm you are descibing. Adenosine actually stops the heart for a few seconds in hopes when it restarts it will "reboot" its self and be in a better rythm. As SVT is not great it is not the most dangerous of rythms, unless the patients base rythm is as above with intermit breakthrough of V-fib or Uncontoled A-fib I haven,t ever had a Dr. use adenosine for SVT I'M GOING OUT ON A FURTHER LIMB HERE, THE ONLY DR. THAT HAS ORDERED ADENOSINE WAS AN E.P. CARDIOLOGIST. MEANING THAT IT WAS A TRUE PROBLEM CASE TO START WITH.

[Phil]

Well adenosine works by basically stopping your heart, but it only lasts for around 6 seconds. It's only used emergently. Consequences? sure if it doesn't metabolize for whatever reason, then the pt's got quite the problem, huh? Adenosine, is considered to be quite safe and is the first line medication for stable PSVT.

Amiodarone is a great drug, in that it works on darn near any tachyarrhythmia. Problem is that it's a bit hepatotoxic.

I myself would much rather use diltiazem, if the first line adenosine doesn't work.

Electricity, however, doesn't have any side effects [besides the pain of course] so synchronized cardioversion is favored by quite a few docs, with whom I've spoken.