RESPIRATORY ARREST DURING DIPYRIDAMOLE STRESS-TESTING

There is an increasing usage of radio-nuclide scanning to assess myoca rdial perfusion, with dipyridamole, the most commonly used stress agen t. Although this is an effective, and usually very safe, means by whic h to assess myocardial blood supply, there have been several incidents of acute bronchospasm in asthmatic patients. There have, however, bee n no previous reports of respiratory arrest occurring in patients with emphysema. This case illustrates the dangers of administering intrave nous dipyridamole, or even adenosine, to patients with chronic lung di sease.