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Why is the doctor performing this test?
To determine how
well the heart is pumping blood through the coronary arteries.
What is the test?
A dobutamine stress echo is a
non-invasive ultrasound test which is used to visualize the heart in motion. To
view the heart, your doctor will place a transducer on your chest which emits
harmless sound waves to your heart. These sound waves generate pictures of your
heart in motion and are displayed on an ultrasound machine connected to the
transducer.
Your doctor will examine the muscle movement of the heart (also called wall
motion) while you are at rest. Then, your doctor will inject a medication called
dobutamine through an IV. This causes your heart to beat faster, simulating the
effects exercise has on your heart. The doctor will then examine these pictures
of your heart and compare them to the pictures taken while you were at rest.
If the results of your stress echo show decreased muscle movement (or wall
motion) during stress than while resting, it is an indicator that there could be
plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) in your arteries. The doctor will determine if
any other testing is necessary to ensure that your heart is functioning
properly.
What is Dobutamine?
Dobutamine is a positive inotropic
agent and mild chronotropic agent, meaning it increases the contractility of the
heart with minimal changes in heart rate. When Dobutamine is administered, you
may feel your heart pound for a few minutes. This is normal. However, you may
also experience side effects such as chest pain/pressure, headache, dizziness,
nausea, shortness of breath, shaky, warm and flushed. If you begin to notice
these symptoms or other symptoms that concern you, notify the lab personnel
immediately.
Most patients do not experience any side effects. Dobutamine has a short
cycle of activity, so its effects do subside quickly.
What does the test show?
A Dobutamine Stress test
evaluates the function of your heart under stress, in particular, it examines
the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber of your heart). This test provides
the following valuable information:
- Your risk of developing heart disease.
- Whether the symptoms you experience (i.e., chest
pain, shortness of breath, unexplained fatigue, dizziness, etc.) are caused by
a blockage to your heart.
- Possible heart troubles that are not present at rest.
- As a tool to clear patients for cardiac surgery (or
other procedures).
- To approximate the severity of the blockages to your
heart.
- Following balloon angioplasty or bypass surgery (for those who require
these procedures), a stress test may help to determine the success of the
procedure and an appropriate rehabilitation program for you.
How do I prepare for the test?
- Do not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to the
test. This helps prevent nausea and vomiting - possible side-effects which may
accompany the infusion of dobutamine. Diabetics and those who need to
eat/drink with medication(s) must get special instructions from their doctor.
- Do not smoke 4 hours prior to the test. Smoking can
produce inaccurate test results.
- Wear a two-piece outfit as women will wear a hospital
gown and men are asked to remove their shirt.
- Do not wear oils or lotions. Small sticky patches
called electrodes must stick on your chest.
- Do not take the following heart medications on the
day of your test unless your physician tells you otherwise or if the
medication is needed to treat chest discomfort:
- Beta Blockers e.g., Tenormin, Lopressor,
Propanolol)
- Isosorbide dinitrate (e.g., Isordil, Sorbitrate)
- Isosorbide mononitrate (e.g., Ismo)
- Nitroglycerin (e.g., Deponit, Nitrostat)
- If you have questions about medications you take, talk to your physician.
Please Note: Do not discontinue any medication without first talking with
your physician
Where is the test performed?
In various outpatient
centers, such as your cardiologist's office.
How long does this test take?
Approximately 30 - 45
minutes:
· Prep: 10 - 15 minutes
· Testing: 15 minutes
· Recovery: 10 - 15 minutes
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