Methods for detecting the presence and/or assessing the severity of myocardial ischemia during pharmacologic stress tests by administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising adenosine and dipyridamole are described. The methods allow for the combined administration of dipyridamole administered as a bolus with adenosine given as an infusion, where the dosages of each of these compounds are below their respective dosages when the compounds are used as a single agent. The methods are useful for exploiting the vasodilating abilities of adenosine at doses at which side effects related to adenosine are substantially reduced while optimal coronary artery perfusion is achieved. Also presented, are compositions, unit dosage forms, and kits that are useful in performing the methods.
