The curious case of slow flow, adenosine and respiratory failure

Abstract

Adenosine, a purine nucleoside, interacts with specific receptors and produces dyspnea. When inhaled it produces bronchospasm. Intravenous administration of adenosine, although dyspnogenic, has not conclusively demonstrated increased airway resistance to suggest that it causes bronchospasm. Adverse effects with intravenous adenosine is seldom troublesome given its short life. There have been few case reports to suggest that intravenous adenosine may precipitate respiratory failure particularly in patient with asthma/obstructive airway disease. However, such serious effect has not been reported with intracoronary administration. This case illustrates the danger of administering intracoronary adenosine in patients with obstructive airway disease and its management.

Keywords

• Adenosine
• Respiratory failure
• Slow flow
• Bronchospasm