Severe bronchospasm followed by respiratory arrest during thallium-dipyridamole imaging

We describe the occurrence of sudden severe bronchospasm and respiratory arrest following dipyridamole infusion in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease predominantly of the emphysematous type. The severe reaction was unexpected because the patient had tolerated well withdrawal of aminophylline derivatives for 48 hours and was receiving chronic prednisone 20 mg qd. Although the diagnostic and prognostic gains from dipyridamole imaging far outweigh the small risk associated with the test, patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease must be closely monitored during thallium-dipyridamole imaging.