Comparison of Hemodynamic Effects and Negative Predictive Value of Normal Adenosine Gated Myocardial Perfusion Scan

Maseeh Uz Zaman1, Nosheen Fatima2, Areeba Zaman3

  • 1Department of Radiology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan; Department of Nuclear Cardiology, Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan.

Insights

Caffeine abstinence before adenosine stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) did not significantly alter hemodynamic response or the negative predictive value (NPV) of normal scans. This suggests current guidelines may not require strict caffeine restriction for accurate MPI results.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

  • Current guidelines recommend 12-hour caffeine abstinence before vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to attenuate cardiovascular hyperemic response.
  • Conflicting published results exist regarding the necessity of caffeine abstinence for MPI accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare hemodynamic changes and the negative predictive value (NPV) of normal myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) using adenosine stress, with or without prior caffeine ingestion.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 50 patients who underwent normal adenosine-gated MPI (GMPI) after 12-hour caffeine abstinence.
  • A repeat adenosine stress was performed the next day, within 60 minutes of coffee ingestion (approx. 80 mg caffeine), with 20 patients undergoing repeat MPI (prior-caffeine adenosine-MPI group B).
  • Hemodynamic response and NPV were compared between protocols.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in demographic, hemodynamic, electrocardiography (ECG), or left ventricular (LV) function parameters between the no-caffeine and prior-caffeine adenosine stress protocols.
  • Event-free survival for fatal myocardial infarction (MI) was 100% in both groups.
  • Event-free survival for nonfatal MI was similar (90% vs. 85%, P > 0.05) between groups, with no significant difference in Kaplan-Meier survival plots.

Conclusions:

  • This study found no significant attenuation of adenosine-induced hemodynamic response or impact on the NPV of normal GMPI with or without caffeine abstinence.
  • Findings suggest that caffeine abstinence may not be necessary for adenosine stress MPI.
  • Further well-designed prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and potentially revise current guidelines.