Adenosine in the episodic treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and dosage and administration of adenosine in the treatment of episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular trachycardia (PSVT) are reviewed. Adenosine is an endogenous adenine nucleoside that markedly decreases heart rate and prolongs atrioventricular (AV)-nodal conduction. Adenosine is rapidly cleared from plasma by the cellular elements of the blood and by vascular endothelial...