Stress Testing During Cardiac Catheterization: Exercise and Pacing Tachycardia

Patients with significant heart disease may have entirely normal hemodynamics when assessed in the resting state during cardiac catheterization. Because most cardiac symptoms are precipitated by exertion or some other stress, however, it also may be important to assess hemodynamic performance during some form of stress such as muscular exercise, pharmacologic intervention (e.g., dobutamine infusion), or pacing-induced tachycardia. Such an evaluation enables the physician to assess the and the relationship (if any) between specific symptoms and hemodynamic impairment. Physiologic information so obtained is often valuable in prescribing specific medical therapy, selecting patients for corrective cardiac surgery, and estimating prognosis. cardiovascular reserve