Rapid and safe termination of supraventricular tachycardia in children by adenosine

Abstract

Adenosine (0.05-0.25 mg/kg intravenously) successfully terminated resistant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in three seriously ill newborn infants and one older child. Termination of tachycardia was achieved in each case within 20 s. Adenosine, unlike many other anti-arrhythmic agents, has no substantial negative inotropic effect under these circumstances and may become the drug of choice in haemodynamically compromised children with SVT. However, it has no value in prophylaxis against recurrent SVT.