Stress Echocardiogram

A stress echocardiogram allows the radiologist to analyze changes that occur in the cardiac muscle while it is under stress and to gather important information about the condition of the patient’s heart.

This exam is useful for the detection of coronary disease and restenosis; for the assessment of valvular problems and recovery outlook factors; and for the analysis of cardiac muscle viability following a heart attack.

During the exam, “stress” can be triggered by a brief physical effort (exercise echocardiogram) or by a injecting a medicine called dobutamine. When subjected to these stimuli, the heart muscle consumes more oxygen. To meet this demand, blood flow accelerates and the heart rate increases.

• During an exercise echocardiogram, the patient is installed on a special ergometric table. Unlike traditional exercise echocardiograms in which the ultrasound images are taken after the exercise, this new method makes it possible to analyze the heart during exercise, resulting in much more accurate data.
• The dobutamine echocardiogram is even less invasive for the patient. Administered intravenously, the dobutamine gradually raises the heart rate for approximately ten minutes while also increasing the heart’s contractility. Using an ultrasound device, the cardiologist can observe the effects of the “stress” without requiring the patient to move. This method is particularly useful for patients who are tired or have impaired mobility.