Adenosine

Uses

  • Treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
  • Diagnostic aid used in pharmacologic cardiac stress testing
  • Diagnostic aid used in fractional flow reserve testing
  • Diagnostic aid for tachyarrhythmia in hemodynamically stable individuals

Adverse Effects

  • Cardiac arrhythmia during cardioversion
  • Facial flushing
  • Dyspnea
  • Chest pressure

Considerations for PT

  1. Discussion with physician is recommended prior to physiotherapy intervention if this medication was recently given to your patient.
  2. Consider risk of changes in heart rhythm. Consider monitoring heart rate, especially if medication recently started. Consider risk of changes in heart rhythm. Consider monitoring heart rate, especially if medication recently started.

Route of Administration

  1. Intravenous (IV)Intravenous (IV)

Mechanism of Action

  • Slows conduction time through the AV node and restores normal sinus rhythm
  • Causes coronary vasodilation
  • Increases blood flow in normal coronary arteries

Drug Dynamics

Time to Peak Effect

false

Duration of Action

false

Resources

*Some links accessed via VCH Intranet

Last updated: July 14, 2026