title: Contrast dobutamine stress echocardiography: clinical practice assessment in 300 consecutive patients.
abstract: In this study we compared non-contrast imaging with contrast imaging of the left ventricle during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Wall segment visualization, image quality, and confidence of interpretation were determined with and without the use of intravenous Optison, a second-generation echocardiographic contrast agent, in 300 consecutive patients undergoing rest and peak DSE. At rest and at peak stress, the percentage of wall segments visualized, image quality, and confidence of interpretation were better with contrast compared with non-contrast imaging. No significant decrease was seen in wall segment visualization, image quality, or confidence of interpretation from rest to peak stress in images obtained with contrast, unlike the images obtained without contrast from rest to peak stress. The use of the intravenous echocardiographic contrast agent Optison during DSE significantly improved wall segment visualization and image quality at rest and at peak stress, resulting in improved confidence of interpretation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine and Section of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minn. 55905, USA.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rainbird
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Mulvagh
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: McCully
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Klarich
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shub
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Pellikka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000418:Albumins; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D004280:Dobutamine; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; C099458:FS 069; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D004280:Dobutamine