Abdominal pain in children

Abstract

<b>2825</b> <h3><b>Objectives</b></h3> Many patients undergoing a myocardial perfusion imaging study are unable to achieve the target heart rate necessary to produce quality stress images; therefore, administration of a pharmaceutical stress agent, such as Lexiscan (Regadenoson), is often utilized. Lexiscan binds to the A2A adenosine receptors; however, caffeine in a patient’s system can counter act its effectiveness by interfering with those receptor sites. If a patient normally consumes large amounts of caffeine, withdrawal from it can often cause headaches which patients can misinterpret as a side effect of Lexiscan leading to administration of Aminophylline to treat these adverse reactions. The purpose of this study is to determine if giving caffeine, in the form of coffee, to patients who regularly consume caffeine can treat headaches without administering Aminophylline. <h3><b>Methods</b></h3> Data was collected from questionnaires on 176 patients that underwent a Lexiscan sestamibi procedure. The questions were used to determine the patient’s caffeine consumption and any headache symptoms prior to the administration of Lexiscan, as well as other symptoms prior to and after the stress test. Patients who had indicated headaches prior to the stress test were given coffee after the stress test, to determine if caffeine was effective in alleviating their headaches. If the headaches were not resolved with caffeine, they were then given Aminophylline. <h3><b>Results</b></h3> Of the 34 patients reporting headaches prior to and after Lexiscan administration, 17 were given nothing, 8 received coffee, 7 were administered Aminophylline, and 2 were given both coffee and Aminophylline. Of the 8 patients who were provided only coffee, 7 stated that their headache dissipated. Another 30 patients reported headaches post Lexiscan only. Of those, 18 were given nothing, 6 coffee, and 6 Aminophylline. Of the six patients receiving coffee, 5 indicated that their headache went away. <h3><b>Conclusions</b></h3> Giving caffeine to patients reporting a headache after Lexiscan administration proved effective in reducing their headaches. Therefore, caffeine consumption post-Lexiscan administration could aid in the treatment of headache symptoms caused by both caffeine withdrawal and Lexiscan administration. This can be beneficial to the patients and staff alike, reducing both the cost and the time associated with Aminophylline administration.