DOBUTAMINE STRESS ECHO

If you are unable to exercise, a Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram will be done. Dobutamine is a medication that will increase your heart rate just as if you were exercising. The Dobutamine will be administered through an IV pump. An IV will be placed in your arm to allow you to receive medications during the procedure.

An EKG and blood pressure will be taken before beginning the medication. Pictures of your heart at rest will be recorded just like with the Exercise Stress Echo. Once images are complete, the Dobutamine infusion will be started. Low-level images may be taken at low doses of the medication. Every 3 minutes the infusion rate will be increased until your target heart rate is obtained. The target heart rate is based on your age. If the heart rate is not sufficiently elevated with Dobutamine, a different medication, Atropine, will be given to increase the heart rate.

Once the heart rate is sufficiently elevated, more images will be taken of your heart. The medication will be stopped. Images will be taken once more when your heart rate returns to the rate it was before medication was given. The physician will compare the images just as with the Exercise Stress Echocardiogram.

Post Procedure:

• The Cardiologist will review all the images of before and after exercise (or medication induced exercise) to compare your heart's function with and without exercise.
• The Cardiologist will be able to inform you of your test results at the conclusion of the study.
• If no further immediate treatment is necessary, you will be discharged.

If you have any questions about this procedure or need to locate a Cardiologist, you may call our Cardiology department at 252-384-4703.