Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2016
Adenosine test in the diagnosis of unexplained syncope: marker of conducting tissue disease or neurally mediated
Steve W Parry1, Samiran Nath, John P Bourke
1Falls and Syncope Service, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. steve.parry@nuth.nhs.uk
Abstract:
Adenosine test (supine administration of a 20 mg intravenous bolus with electrocardiographic and blood pressure monitoring) has been endorsed by the European Society of Cardiology guidelines on syncope management as an 'experimental' test in the diagnosis of unexplained syncope. The test is quick and cheap, but there is no consensus as to what condition, if any, the adenosine test is exposing, with conducting tissue disease and neurally mediated syncope proposed by various authors. In this article, we review the possible mechanisms underlying a positive adenosine test, its safety, and a comprehensive examination of the literature supporting each of the putative causal diagnoses.
Related Concept Videos
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment
Dysrhythmias V: Evaluating Dysrhythmias
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

