Safety of regadenoson for vasodilation in cardiac MRI stress tests

Radiologia (Engl Ed). 2020 May-Jun;62(3):213-221. doi: 10.1016/j.rx.2019.11.002. Epub 2019 Dec 18.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the safety of regadenoson for vasodilation in cardiac MRI stress tests to detect myocardial ischemia.

Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed cardiac MRI studies done in 120 patients (mean age, 67±11.6 years; 88 men) with suspected ischemic heart disease or known coronary disease who had clinical indications for cardiac MRI stress tests. All studies were done on a 1.5 T scanner (MAGNETOM Aera, Siemens Healthineers) using regadenoson (5ml, 0.4mg) for vasodilation. We recorded cardiovascular risk factors, medications, and indications for the test as well as vital signs at rest and under stress and the symptoms and adverse effects induced by the drug.

Results: No symptoms developed in 52.6% of patients. The most common symptoms were central chest pain (25%) and dyspnea (12%). At peak stress, the mean increase in heart rate was 23.9±11.4 beats per minute and the mean decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 7.1±18.8mmHg and 5.3±9.2mmHg, respectively (p <0.001). The response to regadenoson was less pronounced in obese and diabetic patients. The increase in heart rate was greater in symptomatic patients (27.4±11.2 bpm vs. 20.6±10.7 bpm in asymptomatic patients, p=0.001). No severe adverse effects were observed.

Conclusion: Regadenoson is well tolerated and can be safely used for cardiac MRI stress tests.

Keywords: Corazón; Coronary disease; Enfermedad coronaria; Heart; Isquemia miocárdica; Magnetic resonance imaging; Myocardial ischemia; Regadenoson; Regadenosón; Resonancia magnética.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Exercise Test / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Myocardial Ischemia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Purines / adverse effects
  • Purines / pharmacology*
  • Pyrazoles / adverse effects
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Vasodilator Agents / adverse effects
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Purines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • regadenoson