The Single Syringe Technique for Adenosine in Supraventricular Tachycardia

Adenosine is frequently used to convert supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) to sinus rhythm. Because it has a half-life of <10 seconds, administration is typically followed by a saline flush to deliver the medication bolus to the heart quickly. Historically, clinicians have used a cumbersome technique involving two syringes, and in some cases a stopcock, to administer adenosine and saline quickly. Some clinicians now combine adenosine and saline in a single syringe, but there are few studies of this technique.

Investigators performed a prospective study of 53 hemodynamically stable adults who presented to a single emergency department with SVT. At the treating clinician's discretion, patients were given 6 mg of adenosine one of two ways: in a…