Tolerability and infusion time of an accelerated infusion dobutamine echocardiography protocol.
OBJECTIVE
A new, accelerated dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography (DASE) protocol (baseline 20 mcg/kg/min; 40 mcg/kg/min) was compared with a standard protocol in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) to evaluate tolerability, length of infusion, and overall test times, as well as safety.


METHODS
Patients received the DASE or the standard protocol on an alternating basis (n = 164).


RESULTS
Total test time, including patient recovery (HR < 100 bpm), dropped from an average of 19:23-12:12 min (p < 0.0001). Average symptom duration decreased from 5:50 to 3:17 min (p < 0.01). Women had shorter total test times in both accelerated and standard protocols compared to that of men.


CONCLUSIONS
The accelerated DASE protocol is a well tolerated alternative to standard dobutamine stress testing allowing practitioners to reduce test times without increasing the incidence of arrhythmias. Patients in the accelerated arm also had shorter duration of symptoms.
Pastorius
Catherine A
CA
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407, USA.
Knickelbine
Thomas
T
Schum
Kevin
K
Nelson
Teresa F
TF
Harris
Kevin M
KM
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012107:Research Design; D013997:Time Factors
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004280:Dobutamine