Drug of choice for termination paroxysmal Supraventricular tachycardia is
**Core Concept**
Paroxysmal Supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is a type of abnormal heart rhythm that requires immediate termination to prevent complications. The drug of choice for PSVT is one that can rapidly convert the abnormal rhythm back to a normal sinus rhythm.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The drug of choice for termination of PSVT is Adenosine. Adenosine works by transiently blocking the AV node, which is the part of the heart that normally allows electrical signals to pass from the atria to the ventricles. By blocking the AV node, adenosine interrupts the re-entrant circuit that is causing the PSVT, allowing the heart to return to a normal rhythm. Adenosine is effective because it has a very short half-life, which allows it to be administered in a single dose and then rapidly cleared from the body.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Digoxin is not the drug of choice for PSVT because it can actually worsen the condition by increasing the sensitivity of the AV node to electrical stimuli, making it more likely to trigger a PSVT episode.
**Option B:** Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker that can be used to slow the heart rate in certain types of abnormal rhythms, but it is not the first-line treatment for PSVT.
**Option C:** Amiodarone is an anti-arrhythmic medication that can be used to treat a wide range of abnormal heart rhythms, but it is not the preferred choice for PSVT due to its potential side effects and the availability of more effective and safer alternatives.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
When administering adenosine for PSVT, it is essential to have a cardiac monitor in place to monitor the patient's heart rhythm and to be prepared to administer additional doses if the initial dose is not effective.
**Correct Answer: C. Adenosine**