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Regadenoson is a safe and well-tolerated pharmacological stress agent for myocardial perfusion imaging in post-heart transplant patients

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Journal of Nuclear Cardiology Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

The safety and tolerability of regadenoson (REG), a newer adenosine A2a receptor agonist, has not been tested in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) patients.

Methods

Retrospective review of a tertiary care center experience of OHT patients who underwent a REG single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) study as part of the work-up for cardiac allograft vasculopathy. The control group included those same patients who had prior adenosine-based SPECT.

Results

A total of 40 patients met the above criteria. Mean time from OHT to adenosine-SPECT and REG-SPECT was 8.2 ± 4.8 years vs 9.8 ± 4.5 years, respectively (P < .001). Both vasodilators had similar side effect profiles (P = .10), produced significant heart rate acceleration and asymptomatic hypotension (P < .001). There were no episodes of bradycardia and/or AV block with REG. Despite adjustment for medication status, adenosine was still associated with more conduction abnormalities (8 vs 1 event with REG, P = .02) including five episodes of 2nd degree AV block (Mobitz type II) and three episodes of sinus pause.

Conclusion

This is the first reported use of REG in OHT patients. REG appears to be safe and well tolerated without significant cardiovascular adverse events.

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Acknowledgments

The senior investigator—Dr Karthik Ananthasubramaniam is on the speaker’s bureau of Astellas Global Pharma Development Inc from whom he also receives significant research grant support for investigator initiated research with Regadenoson, and as the Primary Investigator in prior and ongoing multicenter trials with Regadenoson. The authors would like to acknowledge Drs Wael Jaber and Wael Aljaroudi for their critical review and valuable suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Heart and Vascular Institute, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Blvd, K-14, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    João L. Cavalcante MD, Joaquim Barboza MD & Karthik Ananthasubramaniam MD, FACC, FASNC

  2. Section of Cardiac Imaging, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    João L. Cavalcante MD

Authors
  1. João L. Cavalcante MD
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  2. Joaquim Barboza MD
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  3. Karthik Ananthasubramaniam MD, FACC, FASNC
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karthik Ananthasubramaniam MD, FACC, FASNC.

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Cavalcante, J.L., Barboza, J. & Ananthasubramaniam, K. Regadenoson is a safe and well-tolerated pharmacological stress agent for myocardial perfusion imaging in post-heart transplant patients. J. Nucl. Cardiol. 18, 628–633 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-011-9399-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-011-9399-3

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