Therapy

Why?

• It terminates 90% of episodes of paroxysmal SVT, but 20% report moderate or severe adverse reactions - these were commonly facial flushing, chest discomfort and dyspnoea ^a
• It is as effective as verapamil for cardioversion of SVT ^a
• It has no effect on ventricular arrhythmias, but may help reveal atrial flutter or fibrillation ^d
• Dipyridamole potentiates the effect of adenosine ^a

Larger doses of adenosine terminate more arrhythmias

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	RRR (95% CI)	NNT (95% CI)
paroxysmal SVT a	adenosine 3 mg	placebo	cardioversion at 8 minutes	7.8%	350% (88% to 990%)	4 (3 to 6)
	adenosine 6 mg	placebo		9.3%	560% (210% to 1300%)	2 (2 to 2)
	adenosine 9 mg	placebo		13%	540% (230% to 1100%)	1 (1 to 2)
	adenosine 12 mg	placebo		14%	550% (250% to 1100%)	1 (1 to 1)