The RegEx Trial: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo- and Active-controlled Pilot Study Combining Regadenoson, a Selective A(2A) Adenosine Agonist, with Low-level Exercise, in Patients Undergoing Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Background: Although vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is increasingly performed with exercise, adenosine A(2A) receptor agonists have not been studied with exercise.

Objectives: To determine the safety of administering regadenoson during exercise and, secondarily, to evaluate image quality, patient acceptance, and detection of perfusion defects.

Methods: Patients requiring pharmacologic MPI received a standard adenosine-supine protocol (AdenoSup, n = 60) and were then randomized (2:1) in a double-blind manner to low-level exercise with bolus intravenous injection of regadenoson (RegEx, n = 39) or placebo (PlcEx, n = 21).

Results: Adverse events occurred in 95%, 77%, and 33% of patients receiving AdenoSup, RegEx, and PlcEx, respectively. Peak heart rate was 13 beats per minute (bpm) and 21 bpm greater following RegEx compared to that following PlcEx and AdenoSup, respectively (P = .006 and <.001). Change from baseline in mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), change from baseline to nadir SBP, and percentage of patients with a decline in SBP by > or = 20 mm Hg showed no important differences between RegEx and PlcEx. No occurrences of 2nd degree or higher AV block were observed following RegEx or PlcEx; one patient developed 2nd degree AV block following AdenoSup. The mean heart-to-liver and heart-to-gut ratios were improved on RegEx vs AdenoSup: 0.85 (0.34) vs 0.65 (0.26), P < .001 and 1.1 (0.36) vs 0.97 (0.34), P < .001, respectively. Compared to AdenoSup, 70% of patients felt RegEx was much or somewhat better.

Conclusions: Combining regadenoson with low-level exercise is feasible, well tolerated, and associated with fewer side effects compared to AdenoSup.