Reliability and Safety of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography for Detection of Myocardial Ischemia-Viability: Experience From 802 Consecutive Studies

S tress echocardiography (pharmaceutical or exercise) represents an important diagnostic method for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (myocardial ischemia and/or viability). The commonest protocol applied in stress echocardiography is carried out with intravenous administration of dobutamineatropine. Although some adverse reactions may appear during this procedure, many studies have proved that it is exceptionally safe. Disadvantages of the method include its limited use in patients with a poor acoustic window, the need for an echocardiographic device with special capabilities, and the fact that it is a subjective, qualitative method which is very dependent on the echocardiographer who performs the study. In spite of its many advantages, there are only a few hospitals in Greece where stress echocardiography is routinely used for the detection of myocardial ischemia and/or viability in everyday clinical practice. The aim of this study was to present our experience from a large number of dobutamine stress echocardiographic studies performed in our laboratory for the detection of myocardial ischemia Reliability and Safety of Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography for Detection of Myocardial Ischemia-Viability: Experience From 802 Consecutive Studies