dobutamine stress echo
Pharmacological stress test using dobutamine infusion to assess inducible wall motion abnormalities and coronary artery disease.
Full Definition
Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a non-invasive diagnostic test that combines pharmacological stress with real-time echocardiographic imaging to detect coronary artery disease. Dobutamine, a synthetic catecholamine, is infused in incrementally increasing doses to achieve target heart rate while continuously monitoring cardiac function. The test is particularly valuable in patients unable to exercise adequately and can assess both inducible ischemia (through wall motion analysis) and myocardial viability (through low-dose protocols). Image acquisition occurs at rest, low-dose, peak stress, and recovery phases.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between diagnostic (high-dose) and viability (low-dose) protocols in reporting.
In Context
- "The dobutamine stress echo revealed inducible hypokinesis in the inferior wall at peak stress." — Stress testing report
- "Low-dose dobutamine stress echo demonstrated myocardial viability in the anterior wall territory." — Pre-surgical assessment