Evidence of walk-through phenomenon during echocardiographic dipyridamole stress test.
This case report deals with induced regional wall motion abnormalities that spontaneously disappeared during an echocardiographic stress test with dipyridamole. A patient underwent this test because of atypical chest discomfort and a positive result of exercise stress test. Transient septal, apical and anterior akinesia were observed after the first dose of dipyridamole, but they were short-lasting and did not return during the continuation of the test. Coronary angiography showed a critical stenosis of the left coronary artery. A mechanism similar to that responsible for the walk-through phenomenon might explain the observed findings. Thus stress echo with dipyridamole needs careful continuous monitoring, because transient wall motion abnormalities can otherwise be missed resulting in a false negative test.
Terlizzi
R
R
Division of Cardiology, San Giacomo Hospital, Castelfranco Veneto, Italy. rterlizzi@sameint.com
Desideri
A
A
Suzzi
G
G
Candelpergher
G
G
Colangeli
G
G
Celegon
L
L
D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D004176:Dipyridamole