[Adenosine triphosphate in the treatment of supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia: a comparison with verapamil].

AIMS: There are multiple drugs options in the treatment of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PST) after inefficacious vagal stimulus. In this study we compare two of these treatments: verapamil versus adenosin triphosphate (ATP).

METHODS

Fifty patients with PST were randomly treated with either Verapamil (5 to 10 mg) or ATP (5 to 20 mg). The basal features of each group, and the efficacy and safety of the two drugs were compared. Verapamil failures were treated with ATP and vice versa.

RESULTS

The characteristics of both groups of treatment were similar. 86% of PST episodes were resolved with Verapamil use, versus 83% after ATP administration. Finally all patients were successfully treated with these drugs. No adverse effects were observed with Verapamil, whereas these effects were frequent with ATP use, but in any case requiring specific intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Both Verapamil and aTP are an equally safe and effective treatment of PST, but transient and minor side effects are frequent after ATP administration.