Performance and safety profile of regadenoson myocardial perfusion imaging: first experience in Greece

MPI can provide valuable information in the investigation of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. The stress component of the studies can be conducted with regadenoson, which was approved for clinical use in Greece in 2016. We investigated the performance and safety profile of regadenoson MPI based on our 7 months institutional experience.

We studied 96 consecutive patients (59 males, 37 females, mean age 70.35y.o, range: 46-87y.o.) referred to our department for a clinically indicated MPI study with pharmacological stress. Eleven patients suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients underwent regadenoson stress test, combined with both stress and rest imaging. Data on the symptoms and electrocardiographic changes due to regadenoson administration were recorded. Symptoms were graded as 1-mild: a symptom that did not distress the patient, 2-moderate: a symptom that distressed the patient but it was self-limiting, or 3-severe: a symptom that distressed the patient requiring medical intervention.

Regadenoson-related symptoms were reported in 56 patients and were: dyspnea, discomfort, dizziness, chest pain, epigastric pain, neck pain, headache, flushing, nausea, heartburn, weakness, and upper limbs numbness. The severity of symptoms was recorded as grade 1 in 30 patients, grade 2 in 25 patients, and grade 3 in 1 patient. Two or more different symptoms were reported in 28 patients. Ischemic electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias were observed in 8 patients.

Our findings support previously published data indicating the optimal safety profile of regadenoson MPI, even in the group of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.