Analgesic effect of adenosine on ischaemic pain in human volunteers

This study was designed to measure ischaemic pain during and after infusion of adenosine. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, eigh t ASA 1 male volunteers received infusion of adenosine 100 mu g kg(-1) min( -1) or placebo for 10 min. This was repeated 1 week later with the alternat e infusion. Pain measurements were made during tourniquet-induced ischaemia in an exercising arm before infusion, during infusion and for 24 h afterwa rds. Pain was reduced significantly in the adenosine group compared with th e saline group during infusion (median difference 20.8; 95% confidence inte rval 2.0-40). There was no significant difference in pain after infusion an d there were no significant changes in cardiovascular variables. During inf usion of adenosine, transient mild chest discomfort, shortness of breath an d facial flushing occurred. We conclude that adenosine had measurable effec ts on ischaemic pain which were not sustained after discontinuation of infu sion.