Adenosine Stress Test

[indiumblue]

After having the resting portion of stress test, I was told I could not have a treadmill stress test because the nurse could only find a small vein.  After discussing further, she swore to me that I probably would not feel anything. If anything, I would feel some pressure in my chest.
Three days later,  she again assured me that, if anything, I would feel a little chest pressure. About 10 seconds into the test, I had extreme pressure in chest, neck, arms, legs, aorta, and abdomen, accompanied by extreme pain in legs and profuse sweating. The doctor and nurse kept repeating that this was normal. I begin to black out. I could still hear them,barely.   They refused to stop test. At end of 4 minutes, they slung me down on bed and placed pillows under my legs. I heard the doctor say "Give it one more minute." The nurse then yelled "Diffibrilate(sp) on 2, diffibrilate on 2". I then was able to open my eyes a little. The doctor then left the room. The nurse told me I had lost all blood pressure. It rose as I came to. She didn't explain to me what she had meant by diffibrilate on 2. I continued to feel minor soreness in my chest for a day and felt not quite myself for 4 days.
My question is, was any or all of this normal and how many milligrams of adenosine is normally given in a stress test? Is there a limit to the amount that one can be given?
Thank you all for your help.

[DiGCH]

A related discussion, I am scheduled for an Adenosine Stress Test. was started.

[LacyMary]

I have had 2 Cardiolites with Adenosine. MY cardiologist is always there plus 2 others in the room.  The side effect I have is always very short of breath for about 2 minutes but my doctor is there talking me through this and the nurse is holding my hand.  I am treated very well.

If I went through what you went through, I would demand some answers.  Patients have rights and doctors need to remember this always.

Good Luck To You.

[indiumblue]

Thank you for answering part of my question.
I was told that my heart was good. They did not mention my heart rhythm. They did say that I had lost all blood pressure. I did get to sneak a look at my records in his office and it showed that I was given 52.9 mg. of adenosine. This was handwritten and may have been meant as 5.29 mg. The day I got my results, the doctor and nurse acted as if they didn't know me and rushed through my appointment. Therefore I was unable to grill them about what went wrong.
Anyone have any clue if this was a medical mistake or simply a hypersensitivity to adenosine? Or does everyone have these symptoms during an adenosine stress test? TY

[Cleveland Clinic]

indiumblue,

thanks for the post.

Im not sure what happened. Your heart rhythm should have been recorded during the test and if it became abnormal they may have required cardioversion which is what defibrillation should refer to.  If this were the case, the test would be abnormal and usually followed by catheterization.

Without knowing the details of what rhythm and blood pressure you had at the time its impossible to tell you what happened.

Your physicians should be able tell you what happened if you ask them to go through the test with you.

sorry not to be more assistance.