Abstract: The parenteral use of adenosine, functional adenosine receptor agonists which include 1-methyl-2-phenylethyladenosine, 5-ethyl carboxamide adenosine, cyclopentyl adenosine and 2-chloro adenosine; metabolic precursors or by-products of adenosine which include adenine and inosine; and phosphorylated derivatives of adenosine including adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate and adenosine triphosphate in conjunction with various invasive and noninvasive diagnostic techniques to detect the presence or assess the severity of vascular disease is a novel application (indication) for these compounds and forms the basis of this patent application.