Dobutamine Stress Echo

What is Dobutamine Stress Echo?

A Dobutamine Stress echocardiogram is a non-invasive technique used to examine the working and structural condition of the heart. This test also helps to assess the condition of the heart when it functions under stress using sound waves. The stress can be naturally triggered by exercising on a mill or artificially by injecting a drug called dobutamine into the vein of the patient.

How is it performed?

The transducer is placed on the chest at specific areas and angles. The transducer produces sound waves through the skin to the heart tissues. The sound waves will bounce back from the heart structures, and this result is recorded as images in the computer. It can capture the image of the heart valves and walls.

Why is it performed?

The Dobutamine stress echo is mainly used to:

• Assess the heart’s working condition
• Assess heart valve disease.
• Cardiac status evaluation before heart surgery
• Determine the extent of safe exercise before a cardiac rehabilitation or during a cardiac event recovery.