Resuscitation
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Slow infusion of calcium channel blockers compared with intravenous adenosine in the emergency treatment of supraventricular tachycardia.
The emergency treatment of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) has, over the last two decades, changed from verapamil to adenosine primarily owing to documented hypotensive episodes occurring with rapid bolus infusions of the calcium channel blocker. Slow infusions of calcium channel blockers have not previously demonstrated hypotension to any significant degree. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of bolus intravenous adenosine and slow infusion of the calcium channel blockers verapamil and diltiazem in the emergency treatment of spontaneous SVT. ⋯ Slow infusion of calcium channel blockers is an alternative to adenosine in the emergency treatment of stable patients with SVT. Calcium channel blockers are safe and affordable for healthcare systems where the availability of adenosine is limited.