Regadenoson versus Dipyridamole: A Comparison of the Frequency of Adverse Events in Patients Undergoing Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Abstract

Dipyridamole was associated with fewer adverse events than regadenoson in patients undergoing MPI. Dipyridamole offers a safe and cost-effective alternative to regadenoson for cardiac imaging studies.

Safety and tolerability of regadenoson compared with dipyridamole in myocardial perfusion imaging in patients scheduled to undergo medium to high-risk noncardiac surgery: a randomized controlled study

“…The two most common symptoms in the regadenoson group were headache (29%) and dyspnea (27%). Dyspnea was also present in the regadenoson group of our study (15%), but it was completely absent in the dipyridamole group, although there are also other studies that report the symptom of dyspnea in low percentages in dipyridamole-stressed patients [11,12]. Unlike regadenoson vs. adenosine studies, those that compare regadenoson to dipyridamole are limited.…”

“…Unlike regadenoson vs. adenosine studies, those that compare regadenoson to dipyridamole are limited. In a retrospective study by Amer et al [11] of 568 patients, half of whom were subjected to pharmacologic stress with regadenoson and the rest with dipyridamole, it was reported that significantly more patients experienced adverse reactions when they were stressed with regadenoson (84.9 vs. 56.7%; P < 0.001) with no significant differences in aminophylline administration ( P > 0.05). Although initially, our findings were similar for the frequency of adverse reactions (53 vs. 36%; P = 0.023), after performing multiple regression analyses and adjusting for multiple variables, the differences in the frequency of adverse reactions were no longer significant (OR = 1.96; 95% CI, 0.88–3.25; P = 0.114).…”

“…with no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). Amer et al [11] reported that the most common symptoms for regadenoson were dyspnea (52.5%) and gastrointestinal disturbances (27.8%) vs. headache (12.7%) and gastrointestinal disturbances (8.1%) for dipyridamole. Gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea and vomit included) were the most frequent symptom in the regadenoson group of our study (23%), followed by flushing (16%) vs. headache (23%) and dizziness (11%) in the dipyridamole group.…”

Evaluating the use of pharmacological stress agents during single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging tests after inadequate exercise stress test

“…Note that while most centers in this study preferred regadenoson, other real-world studies with regadenoson as a comparator have demonstrated that adenosine is less expensive and results in fewer adverse events due to its short half-life; similar results have been seen for dipyridamole. 5,6 Regadenoson administration was considered ''not at all complex'' by a majority of nuclear imaging center staff, who further benefited with respect to reductions in total staff time for each step of the conversion process relative to adenosine and dipyridamole. Compared to adenosine and dipyridamole, use of regadenoson required less nuclear imaging center staff time, which may be due to its convenient administration and rapid onset of action.…”

“…Note that while most centers in this study preferred regadenoson, other real-world studies with regadenoson as a comparator have demonstrated that adenosine is less expensive and results in fewer adverse events due to its short half-life; similar results have been seen for dipyridamole. 5 , 6 …”