Myocardial uptake and clearance of T1-201 in healthy subjects: comparison of adenosine-induced hyperemia and exercise stress

Pharmacologic stress testing with dipyridamole is useful in patients undergoing thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy who cannot adequately exercise. Because dipyridamole increases coronary blood flow by reducing the metabolism of adenosine, the authors compared the uptake and clearance of T1-201 following exercise stress testing (EST) and resting intravenous infusion of adenosine (AI) in crossover fashion in 20 healthy men. No perfusion defects or areas of redistribution were noted in any of the scans. Mean absolute myocardial T1-201 uptake was 1.3 times greater with AI than with EST. Mean absolute extracardiac uptake was 2.0 times greater with AI. Mean T1-201 myocardial clearance was virtually the same in all AI and EST views. During AI, 70% of the subjects experienced subjective side effects, mean arterial blood pressure decreased by 15%, and heart rate increased by 48%. The effects of adenosine on T1-201 kinetics in the myocardium are similar to those of EST. Adenosine may be useful as a pharmacologic stress agent in patients undergoing T1-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.