A 16-year-old girl has paroxysmal attacks of rapid heart rate with palpitations and shortness of breath. These episodes occasionally terminate spontaneously but often require a visit to the emergency department of the local hospital. Her ECG during these episodes reveals an AV nodal tachycardia. Which of the following drugs would be most suitable for prophylaxis of future episodes of acute AV nodal tachycardia?
(A) Adenosine
(B) Amiodarone
(C) Flecainide
(D) Propranolol
(E) Verapamil
(COMMENT YOUR ANSWER BELOW).
THE CORRECT ANSWER WILL BE POSTED AFTER 24 HRS.
THE CORRECT ANSWER : E – VERAPAMIL
EXPLANATION : Calcium channel blockers are effective in both treating and preventing supraventricular AV nodal tachycardias. They are orally active and have a duration of action of several hours. Adenosine is very effective in most acute nodal tachycardias and is less toxic because of its extremely short duration of action. However, it is not useful for chronic prophylaxis because it must be given IV and has a very short duration of action.