Resumen

GARCIA ALBEROLA, A. et al. Adenosine-induced transient atrial fibrillation in a patient with atrial tachycardia. An. Med. Interna (Madrid) [online]. 2002, vol.19, n.6, pp.42-44. ISSN 0212-7199.

The administration of adenosine during atrial tachycardia usually terminates the arrhythmia or induces AV block and makes the diagnosis clear. We present a patient with atrial tachycardia in which the administration of adenosine induced a transient atrial fibrillation (AF). A continuous transition between both arrhtymias was observed and the original tachycardia persisted after the termination of the AF. This proarrhythmic effect may be due to the adenosinemediated shortening of the atrial refractory periods, which produces a decreased wavelength of the reentry circuits and the potential coexistence of several wavefronts in the atria, favoring the development of AF. The recognition of this uncommon effect is important, since the repeated administration of increasing doses of adenosine may induce sustained AF.

Palabras clave : Adenosine; Tachycardia; Atrial fibrillation.

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