Adenosine in post transplanted heart

Q: Patients with the history of heart transplant have which kind of response to rapid infusion of Adenosine?

A) No response
B) Partial response
C) Suprasensitive response
D) Unpredictable response


Answer: C

Patients with cardiac transplant history usually show a suprasensitive response to adenosine. The effect of response to the drug can be threefold to fivefold. This is due to the fact that post heart transplant, the denervated donor atria, and ventricles demonstrate increased sensitivity to infusions of sympathomimetic amines.


References:

Ellenbogen KA, Thames MD, DiMarco JP, et al. Electrophysiological effects of adenosine in the transplanted human heart. Evidence of supersensitivity. Circulation 1990; 81:821.