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Pharmacologic agent Class Mechanism of action Dose Duration Infusion pump required Half-life Increase in coronary flow Incidence of atrioventricular block (vasodilators) Adenosine Direct coronary artery vasodilator Nonselective adenosine receptor agonist 140 μg/kg/min (up to 125 kg) 6-min infusion with radiopharmaceutical injection at 3 min Yes <10 s 3.5–4 times baseline 8% of studies Dipyridamole Indirect coronary artery vasodilator Nonselective adenosine receptor agonist 142 μg/kg/min (up to 125 kg) 4-min infusion with radiopharmaceutical injection at 3–5 min afterward No 30–45 min 3.8–7 times baseline 2% of studies Regadenoson Direct coronary artery vasodilator Selective A2A receptor agonist 400 μg 10-s infusion with radiopharmaceutical injection at 20–30 s afterward No Initial phase, 2–4 min; intermediate, 30 min; terminal, 2 h 2.5 times baseline 3% of studies Dobutamine Inotropic agent Direct β1 and β2 stimulation 3-min incremental stages: 10, 20, 30, 40 μg/kg/min Until target heart rate or 12-min maximum is reached Yes <3 min 2–3 times baseline Not applicable
