What is the Difference between Adenosine and Amiodarone

Adenosine and amiodarone are both antiarrhythmic drugs. In clinical practice, adenosine is mainly used for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Amiodarone can be used for the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia, premature beats, atrial fibrillation, etc. This article will introduce the difference between them.

Adenosine

Adenosine is an energy metabolism synthetic substance in the body that can participate in the dilation of coronary arteries, energy synthesis, and even has important effects on human heart metabolism.

Adenosine is an endogenous nucleoside that spreads throughout tissue cells and can directly enter the heart for phosphorylation and conversion into adenosine, participating in cardiac oxidative phosphorylation. It has a certain protective effect on the heart, and it has a nutritional effect on the myocardium. Adenosine can be used as an adjunctive drug for myocardial injury, which can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, fever, weakness, and cyanosis of the lips. Supplementing adenosine can provide sufficient blood supply to the myocardium, which is beneficial for the blood circulation of the heart.

Amiodarone

Amiodarone belongs to the third class of antiarrhythmic drugs and is mainly used for various cardiac arrhythmias, especially tachyarrhythmias. Clinically, it mainly targets premature atrial contractions, premature ventricular contractions, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, and is often used for conversion therapy of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

In general, amiodarone can be the first choice cardioversion drug for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. In addition, amiodarone can also be used for heart rate control, such as heart rate control in patients with heart failure and heart rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation to slow down the heart rate.

Amiodarone also has clinical use in the management of ventricular arrhythmias, such as paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. During medication, attention should be paid to monitoring some adverse reactions, which may cause gastrointestinal symptoms and, in severe cases, pulmonary fibrosis.