Intraosseous Adenosine Terminates Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia in Children.
Date First Published:
May 20, 2012
Last Updated:
July 28, 2014
Report by:
James Clark, Medical Student (1) ((1,2) Cardiff University, Wales, UK – (3) Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK )
Search checked by:
John Green (2) Janos P Baombe (3), (1,2) Cardiff University, Wales, UK – (3) Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
Three-Part Question:
In [children presenting to the emergency department with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia] is [administration of intraosseous adenosine effective] in [terminating the rhythm disturbance?]
Clinical Scenario:
A one-year-old girl presents to your Emergency Department with palpitations. The ECG recording is consistent with supraventricular tachycardia. You attempt to gain venous access multiple times but are unsuccessful. You wonder if the intraosseous delivery of adenosine is as effective as the intravenous one in terminating the arrhythmia
Search Strategy:
Medline 1946 to Week 1 March 2014 using the OVID interface. Search limited to paediatric population, English language and human studies.
[(exp Adenosine/) OR (adenosine.mp)] AND [(exp Infusions, Intraosseous/) OR (intraosseous.mp) OR (IO.mp)] AND [(exp Tachycardia, Supraventricular/) OR (supraventricular tachycardia.mp) OR (SVT.mp)]
EMBASE. Same limits as per previous search.
[(exp adenosine/) AND (exp intraosseous drug administration/) AND (exp supraventricular tachycardia/)]
Cochrane database of Systematic Reviews using the terms adenosine and intraosseous
[(exp Adenosine/) OR (adenosine.mp)] AND [(exp Infusions, Intraosseous/) OR (intraosseous.mp) OR (IO.mp)] AND [(exp Tachycardia, Supraventricular/) OR (supraventricular tachycardia.mp) OR (SVT.mp)]
EMBASE. Same limits as per previous search.
[(exp adenosine/) AND (exp intraosseous drug administration/) AND (exp supraventricular tachycardia/)]
Cochrane database of Systematic Reviews using the terms adenosine and intraosseous
Outcome:
The Medline search strategy revealed five articles. Following abstract review, two were found to be relevant to the question.
The EMBASE search revealed one article, not relevant to the clinical query.
The Cochrane database search yielded no relevant review.
The EMBASE search revealed one article, not relevant to the clinical query.
The Cochrane database search yielded no relevant review.
Relevant Paper(s):
| Study Title | Patient Group | Study type (level of evidence) | Outcomes | Key results | Study Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intraosseous adenosine for the termination of supraventricular tachycardia in an infant Friedman FD. 1996, USA | 11 day old female, with previous SVT refractory to adenosine. | Case report | Cardioversion to sinus rhythm | SVT terminated at 100µg/kg on both occasions | Patient on propranolol to maintain NSR after previous SVTs. An early dose was given prior to attempted cardioversion<br><br>Saline flush volume not reported |
| Intraosseous infusion is unreliable for adenosine delivery in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia. Goodman I, Lu CJ. 2012, USA | 2-month year old male. 4-month year old male. |
Case series report | Cardioversion to sinus rhythm | Case 1. IO 250 µg/kg used was unsuccessful. 100µg/kg delivered via a peripheral vein was successful.<br><br> Case 2. IO 200µg/kg was unsuccessful. IV procainamide and then amiodarone successfully terminated the SVT | Case 2 patient was administered propranolol before attempted adenosine cardioversion<br><br>Saline flush volume not reported. |
Author Commentary:
The intraosseous method allows rapid access to a venous system within the bone marrow and is uncollapsable unlike the peripheral veins. In the included cases, intraosseous access was gained through the proximal tibia. It is unclear why the intraosseous bolus of adenosine failed in Goodman’s patients, but was successful in Freidman’s but may be related to speed of administration and the volume of saline used in flushing the adenosine through. In the published cases, there were no adverse effects reported secondary from the administered adenosine.
Bottom Line:
There is weak and contradicting evidence to suggest that SVTs can be terminated by intraosseous delivery of adenosine in selected cases. It is however unlikely to be as effective as the central or peripheral routes of administrations. Further well-constructed studies with large cohorts of patients are however needed to answer this question.
Level of Evidence:
Level 3: Small numbers of small studies or great heterogeneity or very different population
References:
- Friedman FD.. Intraosseous adenosine for the termination of supraventricular tachycardia in an infant
- Goodman I, Lu CJ. . Intraosseous infusion is unreliable for adenosine delivery in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia.