Tue28September1204PM 8

A 51-year-old politician experiences palpitations, and when he receives an ECG it demonstrates a regular narrow complex tachycardia of 180 bpm.

Which of the following is not a recognised problem with the use of intravenous adenosine in this patient?

(Please select 1 option)

Possible worsening of re-entry tachycardia if this patient has Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

Bronchospasm if the patient is asthmatic

The need for dose reduction if the patient is on disopyramide Incorrect answer selected

Production of chest pain even if this patient has normal coronary arteries

The need for dose reduction if the patient is on theophylline This is the correct answer

Explanation

The action of adenosine is blocked by theophylline, and enhanced by disopyramide. The patient should be warned about chest tightness and dizziness, and a defibrillator should be at hand in case the tachycardia accelerates, as may happen with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Adenosine can produce profound bronchospasm and should be avoided in asthmatics.

Answer Statistics

1

12%

2

6%

3

36%

4

13%

5

35%

Times answered: 280