Detection of coronary artery disease using dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with an abnormal resting electrocardiograph.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the value of dobutamine stress echocardiography for the detection of coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain and an abnormal resting electrocardiograph (ECG).


METHODS
Dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed in a standard fashion. Significant coronary artery disease was defined as a >50% luminal diameter stenosis on coronary angiography.


RESULTS
The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of dobutamine stress echocardiography for the detection of coronary artery disease in 218 patients were 89, 50, 95 and 32%, respectively. The sensitivity for detection of multi-, double- and single vessel disease were 97, 82 and 81%, respectively. The sensitivity for the detection of coronary artery disease in a subgroup of 69 patients by treadmill exercise testing was 37%.


CONCLUSIONS
Dobutamine stress echocardiography is better than exercise ECG for the detection of significant coronary artery disease. The negative predictive value of dobutamine stress echocardiography in this patient group is low.
Cardiovascular Research Group, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
T G
TG
Hennessy
M
M
Siobhan Hennessy
M B
MB
Codd
G
G
Kane
C
C
McCarthy
H A
HA
McCann
D D
DD
Sugrue
D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004280:Dobutamine; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004280:Dobutamine