Evidence has shown that these patient populations are at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) that could go unrecognized. As a result, the patients in these groups may benefit from CAD testing.
Mouse over each patient to learn more about the risks associated with these populations.
Intravenous Adenoscan® (adenosine injection) is indicated as an adjunct to thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in patients unable to exercise adequately.
Adenoscan is contraindicated in patients with 2nd- or 3rd-degree AV block, sinus node disease, and known or suspected bronchoconstrictive or bronchospastic lung disease.
Approximately 2.6% and 0.8% of patients developed second- and third-degree AV block, respectively. All episodes of AV block have been asymptomatic, transient, and did not require intervention; less than 1% required termination of adenosine infusion.
Fatal cardiac arrest, sustained ventricular tachycardia (requiring resuscitation), and nonfatal myocardial infarction have been reported coincident with Adenoscan infusion. Patients with unstable angina may be at greater risk.
Side effects that were seen most often included flushing (44%), chest discomfort (40%), and dyspnea (28%). Side effects usually resolve quickly when infusion is terminated and generally do not interfere with test results.
Despite adenosine’s short half-life, 10.6% of the side effects started several hours after the infusion terminated, and 8.4% of the side effects that began during the infusion persisted for up to 24 hours after infusion. In many cases, it is not possible to know whether these late adverse events are the result of Adenoscan infusion.
