Study affirms safety of adenosine test

Study affirms safety of adenosine test

By: James Brice

Adenosine rest-stress perfusion may represent nearly half the imaging volume at some clinics, but due to safety questions some physicians are sticking with dobutamine for pharmacological stress testing.

A study of adenosine safety conducted by researchers at St. Marien Hospital in Bonn, Germany, may put those concerns to rest. Dr. Karol Miszlaski-Jamka did record minor side effects, such as facial flushing and mild shortness of breath, in 81% of the 645 patients who underwent adenosine-stress contrast MR. But major side effects were limited, including 23 cases of transient high-degree atrioventricular block that resolved spontaneously, one case of severely increased blood pressure, and two instances of claustrophobia.

Study affirms safety . . .