Asystole following regadenoson infusion in stable outpatients.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2014

Institution/Department

Cardiology

Journal Title

Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology

MeSH Headings

Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists, Aged, Ambulatory Care, Coronary Artery Disease, Exercise Test, Female, Heart Arrest, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, Male, Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, Purines, Pyrazoles, Vasodilator Agents

Abstract

Regadenoson is a selective A2A receptor agonist approved for use as a pharmacologic stress agent for myocardial perfusion imaging after several multicenter trials demonstrated its equivalence in diagnostic accuracy for the detection of coronary artery disease and a decreased incidence of serious side effects as compared to adenosine. Recently, the FDA released a safety announcement advising of the rare but serious risk of heart attack and death associated with regadenoson and adenosine in cardiac stress testing, particularly in patients with unstable angina or cardiovascular instability. We report two cases of asystole with hemodynamic collapse in stable outpatients soon after receiving a standard regadenoson injection. The prevalence of potentially life threatening bradycardia, including asystole, associated with the use of regadenoson may be greater than previously expected. These cases highlight the need for cardiac stress labs to anticipate the potential for serious side effects with all patients during the administration of coronary vasodilators.

ISSN

1532-6551

First Page

862

Last Page

868

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