Treatment of supraventricular tachycardia with adenosine in children: size does matter

Adenosine is frequently used as first-line therapy for supraventricular tachycardia in both adults and children. A large bore cannula is recommended to ensure a rapid rate of delivery, as adenosine has a relatively short half-life. This may not always be considered in paediatric patients. This case concerns a 15-year-old male patient who presented to the emergency department with a fast heart rate, who had previously required repeated high doses of adenosine. The case reinforces the need for a large bore cannula when giving intravenous adenosine.