ROLE OF ADENOSINE IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE SUPRAVENTRICULAR TACHYARRHYTHMIAS

Adenosine (Adenocard) has a potent but very transient negative dromotr opic effect on atrioventricular (A-V) nodal conduction. By slowing A-V nodal conduction, adenosine may interrupt a re-entry pathway causing paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or facilitate the diagnosis of other supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) by exposing the underlying a trial activity. We report 15 postoperative cases in which adenosine wa s used to clarify the diagnosis of postoperative SVT, and allowed the appropriate postoperative care.