Asystole and bradycardia during dipyridamole stress testing in patients receiving beta blockers.
Only rarely have serious side effects been reported with the use of intravenous dipyridamole. We describe two cases of severe bradycardia, of which one led to asystole, in patients undergoing dipyridamole-thallium studies. The association between beta blocker therapy and the seven reported cases of asystole with dipyridamole is discussed and mechanisms postulated. Some caution is advised when patients on beta blockers or similar medications have dipyridamole-thallium studies.
Roach
P J
PJ
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales Australia.
Magee
M A
MA
Freedman
S B
SB
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes; D001262:Atenolol; D004176:Dipyridamole; D008790:Metoprolol