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Also known as: Dobutamine stress echo, Stress echo with Dobutamine

The use of an intravenous medication called Dobutamine is an option when a stress test on a treadmill cannot be conducted due to any associated medical condition, such as:

  • Inability to walk
  • Severe pain in legs during the test
  • General condition of the patient

This medicine is diluted in serum and administered in the vein and its effect is that it makes the heartbeat fast, simulating what happens when you exercise.

Indications:

  • Assess the blood flow from the walls of the heart, during exertion.
  • If during a conventional stress test changes may suggest the presence of coronary disease, or the impossibility to perform the test due to a medical problem.
  • In patients who have suffered a myocardial infarct (muscle death) it is indicated to define other areas of the heart that could be at risk to avoid another attack.
  • Assessment of areas that are still viable (not dead) and are susceptible to procedures that improve blood flow such as angioplasty or coronary surgery (coronary bypass).
  • To assess the heart condition of the patient who will be undergo surgery.
  • The degree of the lesion or the impact of the valvular heart disease.
  • Assessment of severity and cardiac reserve in patients with valvular disease, such as aortic stenosis.

Preparation of the study:

  • The patient must fast at least 6 hours before the test.
  • Your physician or the receptionist will tell you which drugs have to be suspended before the test and the time you should suspend them; drugs such as beta blockers (atenolol, carvedilol, nebivolol, metoprolol, propranolol and bisoprolol), amiodarone and some calcium antagonists may affect the increase in heart rate, which is something important in this procedure.
  • Tell your physician if you are or suspect to be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.
  • Don’t smoke or drink caffeine within three hours before the procedure

What are the risks?

It is very safe procedure and it’s performed under strict medical supervision and continuous cardiovascular monitoring. Chest pain may be present, as well as a considerable increase in blood pressure, arrhythmia, nausea or fatigue. Related literature reports the possibility of a heart attack, although it is very rare. Significant changes in heart rate or ECG are rare

*People who are likely to have such complications are excluded from these tests and other studies are selected to confirm the diagnosis of the patient under investigation.