Pharmacologic interventions in nuclear medicine assessment of cardiac perfusion

Drugs that are currently used for therapeutic purposes can also be used in diagnostic tests. This paper will review the use of such pharmacological interventions in cardiac assessment in Nuclear Medicine. To fully comprehend the effect of these drugs, a small review of diagnostic nuclear medicine as currently used to assess cardiac perfusion is included. This will allow pharmacists to understand the rationale behind the single administration of either vasodilator or inotropic agents and to review which drugs and food may interact with the test.