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Dipyridamole Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Myocardial Isotope Research Lab, Departments of Nuclear Medicine and Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, Massachusetts

Correspondence: For correspondence or reprints contact: Jeffrey A. Leppo, MD, Department of Nuclear Medicine, UMass Medical Center, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655.

ABSTRACT

Dipyridamole is a pharmacologic stressor used in place of exercise for myocardial perfusion imaging in patients who cannot exercise due to various physical limitations. Perfusion studies with dipyridamole can identify coronary artery disease (CAD) as accurately as maximal exercise stress testing. In addition, dipyridamole myocardial perfusion studies are useful to stratify patients according to risk of subsequent cardiac events. As dipyridamole is infused, it blocks the reabsorption and metabolism of adenosine normally produced in the body, producing the desired effect on the heart, coronary hyperemia. Dipyridamole can be used with ²⁰¹Tl and ^99mTc myocardial perfusion tracers, for either planar or SPECT imaging, in patients who cannot exercise or who can only exercise at submaximal levels.

Key Words: dipyridamole • myocardial perfusion imaging

FOOTNOTES

This paper was presented in part at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine on June 9, 1993, as part of a Continuing Medical Education Seminar organized by the Cardiovascular Council.