Adenosine Stress Test

What to expect during a stress test with medication

We use an adenosine stress test with imaging (myocardial perfusion imaging) for patients who cannot exercise on a treadmill. Pharmaceutical stress is used to assess regional blood flow to the heart muscle both at stress and at rest. Pharmaceutical stress is used to increase blood flow to the heart muscle. Your doctor may order this test to assess chest pain or other symptoms that may be related to your heart.

Department of Radiology, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-243-6600

How Do I Prepare for the Exam?

Important: If you are nursing a baby, or if there is any possibility that you could be pregnant, please speak with your referring doctor before your scheduled appointment. 

Patients with a history of asthma should discuss this with their doctor before the day of the exam.

Medications: Please ask your referring physician whether or not to take your normally prescribed medications. Also, bring a complete listing of your medications with you.

Foods: Have nothing to eat for four hours prior to your exam. You may drink water at any time. Diabetic patients may have a light snack, as needed, to maintain blood sugar levels. Avoid all caffeinated and decaffeinated foods, drinks, and medications for 24 hours. The following are some examples of common foods, drinks, and medications that contain caffeine, but ask your referring doctor if you’re unsure about something:

• Anacin
• Excedrin
• Cafergot
• Chocolate in any form
• Coffee or tea (regular or decaffeinated)
• Darvon compound
• Esgic
• Fioricet
• Fiorinol
• Norgesic
• Prolamine
• Soda
• Synalgos
• Wigraine

In addition, do not take any medications that contain theophylline for 24 hours before your adenosine stress test. The following are some examples of medications with theophylline, but ask your referring doctor about the medications you take:

• Theophylline SR
• Theophyl-SR
• Theo-sav
• Theospan SR
• Theostat
• Theo-Time
• Theovent
• TheoX
• T-PHYL

Clothing: You should wear comfortable clothing to your exam. Wear slacks, shorts, sweatpants, or a skirt. No dresses, please. You will have electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) leads placed on your chest during the exam. We will provide a hospital gown to you.

What Will Happen During the Exam?

There are three parts to this test: imaging, adenosine injection by the cardiologist, and more imaging.

Part I:  We will start an intravenous (IV) line in your arm and inject a radioactive tracer through the IV.  We will then wait 40 minutes before having your first set of images. The images take about 20 minutes.  You must be able to lie perfectly still for these pictures.

Part II: The technologist will then attach ECG electrodes to your chest in preparation for the adenosine study. A cardiologist will inject a drug called adenosine through your IV. This type of drug simulates the effects of exercise. The cardiologist will monitor your blood pressure and cardiogram. We will inject another tracer will be injected into the IV.

Part III: There will be a 45-minute wait before the last set of images.

How Long Will the Procedure Take?

The entire procedure will take three hours.

What Will Happen After the Exam?

After the exam, the technologist will process your images using a computer. A radiologist will compare the two sets of pictures within 24 hours and dictate a report. Your referring doctor will receive a copy of this report.

A cardiologist will evaluate the ECG portion of your exam. Your doctor will receive this report separately.

How Will I Receive My Results?

You will get the results of the exam from your referring doctor.