What is the role of normal saline flush following the administration of adenosine?

The role of a normal saline flush after administering adenosine is primarily to ensure proper medication delivery to the heart. Adenosine has a very short half-life and is rapidly cleared from the bloodstream. Therefore, following its administration, a flush of normal saline helps to push the drug through the vascular system and ensures that it quickly reaches the heart, where it exerts its effects to convert certain types of supraventricular tachycardia. This action is critical in achieving the desired therapeutic outcome, as delivering the medication quickly and effectively can make a significant difference in the treatment of arrhythmias.

Using normal saline in this way helps to maintain a continuous and effective flow of the medication, maximizing its efficacy while minimizing the risk of the drug being metabolized or diluted by other fluids before reaching its target.