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Would you consider starting with 12 mg of adenosine rather than 6 mg in a hemodynamically stable patient with SVT?

Sert et al., PMID 42057249 - A prospective observational study of 142 adults with ECG-confirmed SVT showed first-dose conversion rates of 83% with 12 mg versus 52% with 6 mg adenosine, with similar adverse effect rates between groups.
2 Answers
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Cardiology · Lankenau Heart Group
Answered on

I know of no data to support higher dose adenosine for SVT termination for any particular clinical scenario. There is a rationale for administering 12 mg if an initial 6 mg doesn't work. In any case, it hardly matters because adenosine is safe at either dose. Any changes in blood pressure or proarrhythmia caused by the drug are transient, dissipating in seconds as the drug is taken up by red blood cells and vascular endothelial cells and rapidly metabolized.

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Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Cardiology · Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital
Answered on

First, I agree with @Dr. First Last about the safety and rapidity of resolution of effect (also noted in the safety table with no significant difference between 6 and 12 mg). Notably, the doses used in the EP lab after atrial fibrillation ablation to look for dormant pulmonary vein conduction were in the 12-24 mg IV bolus range.

There are 2 potential ways of thinking about this question as asked:

1) Is it more cost-effective to use 12 mg adenosine up front vs 6 mg adenosine? If we look at the succ...

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