[4] Aminophylline is used to reverse regadenoson, dipyridamole or adenosine based infusions during nuclear cardiology stress testing.

Aminophylline has also been reported to be effective in preventing slow heart rates during complex cardiovascular interventions (atherectomy of the right coronary artery).

Upon exposure to air, it gradually loses ethylenediamine and absorbs carbon dioxide with the liberation of free theophylline.

Like other methylated xanthine derivatives, aminophylline is both a Aminophylline causes bronchodilation, diuresis†, central nervous system and cardiac stimulation, and gastric acid secretion by blocking phosphodiesterase which increases tissue concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) which in turn promotes catecholamine stimulation of lipolysis, glycogenolysis, and gluconeogenesis, and induces release of epinephrine from adrenal medulla cells.

[3][17] It acts through cellular surface receptors which effect intracellular signalling pathways to increase coronary artery blood flow, slow heart rate, block atrioventricular node conduction, suppress cardiac automaticity, and decrease β-adrenergic effects on contractility.

[18] Overall, adenosine decreases the heart’s rate and force of contraction, which increases blood supply to the cardiac muscle.