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Challenges in Clinical Electrocardiography
February 7, 2022

Narrow Complex Tachycardias—Therapeutic and Diagnostic Role of Adenosine

Author Affiliations
  • 1Department of Cardiology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
JAMA Intern Med. 2022;182(4):436-437. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.7764

A patient in their 40s presented to the emergency department with sudden-onset rapid palpitations at rest. The patient recalled similar episodes in the past that had terminated spontaneously. The patient’s heart rate was 210 beats/min at presentation, and blood pressure was 110/70 mm Hg. Carotid sinus massage was attempted to terminate the tachycardia but to no effect. Intravenous adenosine, 12 mg, followed by rapid saline flush was administered while recording the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in the emergency department (Figure 1).

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