@heartdrsaucier: Imagine feeling like your heart is racing out of control and then being given a medication that briefly stops your heartbeat so it can reset. That is often what happens when we use adenosine in the emergency department for certain fast heart rhythms called supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT. It can be highly effective, but many patients describe a powerful sense of discomfort or even a feeling of impending doom while it works. While adenosine remains a well-studied and commonly used option in emergencies, newer therapies are emerging. One example is an FDA approved intranasal calcium channel blocker called etripamil for some people with paroxysmal SVT, which may be given in less acute settings under medical guidance. As with any treatment, decisions are individualized and based on careful discussion between patients and their care teams. Share this with someone who would appreciate learning how emergency teams manage fast heart rhythms, and add your questions or experiences in the comments so we can address them in future posts.

Stephanie Saucier MD, FACC

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Wednesday 20 May 2026 12:02:54 GMT