Adenosine Cardiolite Stress Test
(Non-Exercise
Cardiolite Stress Test or Pharmacological Stress Test)
The adenosine stress test is a stress test for patients who cannot walk on a treadmill. The tracer (cardiolite) is utilized. Images are obtained before the adenosine is infused and after the adenosine is infused. This helps to determine if areas of the heart are receiving enough blood or if there are blockages (coronary artery disease).
The patient will receive an IV to allow the injection of the tracer. There will be a wait of approximately an hour to an hour and a half before the first images are taken. Patients will then have electrodes (patches) placed on the chest. Several EKGs will be obtained. The patient will receive the medication adenosine through the IV, replacing the exercise portion of the test. The medication adenosine will dilate the heart's arteries. If the heart's arteries are healthy they will dilate more than arteries that are not healthy. The patient may feel flushed, chest pressure or pain, shortness of breath or some other discomfort. After three minutes of the Adenosine infusion, the tracer will be injected via the IV. Images will be obtained an hour and a half after the cardiolite injection.
It is important to follow the preparation for the adenosine/Cardiolite stress test. For 24 hours before the test the following cannot be taken: coffee, tea, colas, chocolates or candies, frosting, cookies, pies, cocoa, milk that contains chocolate, aspirin products that contain caffeine such as Anacin or Excedrin, persantin (dipyridamole), theophylline or theophylline containing products such as Constant -T, primatene, Quibron, Slo-phylline, Theo-dur and aggrenox. Drinks cannot be taken if they are labeled ‘Caffeine free’ or ‘decaffeinated’. The patient may not eat or drink after midnight. 4–6 hours should be allowed for this test. A physician will read the test.
