[Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in pregnancy. Value of adenosine and other anti-arrhythmia agents].

Adenosine versus Verapamil and other Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is the most common sustained arrhythmia during pregnancy. Verapamil has been the most commonly used agent for the treatment of PSVT with a narrow QRS complex. Potential side effects of verapamil including systemic hypotension, acute heart failure, bradyarrhythmia and heart block may occur in pregnant women; after placental transfer bradycardia, heart block, depression of contractility and hypotension may be induced in the fetus. We report on the case of a 22-year old pregnant woman with hypotension and tachycardia, who was admitted for suspected haemorhagic shock. Indeed, she suffered from paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, which was successfully terminated by intravenous adenosine. Because of its known rapid onset, high effectivity, low incidence and brevity of side effects in the mother and comparative safety in the fetus, adenosine seems to be the drug of choice for treating PSVT during pregnancy.