Open AccessAdenosine and Preexcitation Variants: Reappraisal of Electrocardiographic Changes
Author(s) -
Ali Hussam,
Lupo Pierpaolo,
Foresti Sara,
Ambroggi Guido,
Epicoco Gianluca,
Fundaliotis Angelica,
Cappato Riccardo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
annals of noninvasive electrocardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.494
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1542-474X
pISSN - 1082-720X
DOI - 10.1111/anec.12348
Subject(s) - medicine , adenosine , accessory pathway , cardiology , atrioventricular node , pr interval , electrocardiography , catheter ablation , electrophysiology , atrioventricular block , ablation , tachycardia , heart rate , blood pressure
Intravenous adenosine is a short‐acting blocker of the atrioventricular node that has been used to unmask subtle or latent preexcitation, and also to enable catheter ablation in selected patients with absent or intermittent preexcitation. Depending on the accessory pathway characteristics, intravenous adenosine may produce specific electrocardiographic changes highly suggestive of the preexcitation variant. Herein, we view different ECG responses to this pharmacological test in various preexcitation patterns that were confirmed by electrophysiological studies. Careful analysis of electrocardiographic changes during adenosine test, with emphasis on P‐delta interval, preexcitation degree, and atrioventricular block, can be helpful to diagnose the preexcitation variant/pattern.