Used in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and narrow complex tachycardia

f. Adenosine slows conduction across the atrioventricular (AV) node but has limited effect on myocardial cells, this makes it very effective for terminating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias associated with re-entrant circuits. Adenosine has a short duration of action and therefore the affect of the drug may be short-lived. Induction of AV nodal block can reveal underlying atrial rhythms in those patients presenting with narrow complex tachycardias, it slows down the ventricular response. Side-effects of administration of adenosine include episodes of severe bradycardia.