[Safety of exercise and dobutamine stress echocardiography (results of 2383 tests)].

AIM

To elucidate complications and unfavorable side effects of diagnostic exercise and dobutamine stress echocardiography.

MATERIAL

Results of exercise (n=1969) and dobutamine (n=414, 34% with the use of atropine) stress echocardiography conducted in 2 centers for diagnosis of coronary heart disease. Mean age of patients 54,4+/-9,4 years.

RESULTS

There were no deaths or life threatening complications. Disturbances of cardiac rhythm and conduction (31% during exercise and 61% during dobutamine stress tests) were most frequent events. One of 13 exercise and of 5 dobutamine stress tests was stopped because of complications or side effects. Of 15 cases of ventricular tachycardia and 16 of hypotension (lowering of blood pressure by 20 mm Hg) 9 and 13, respectively, occurred during dobutamine tests. There were differences between centers in frequency of atropine use during dobutamine tests and therapy of stress induced chest pain.

CONCLUSION

The data confirmed that both exercise and dobutamine/atropine stress echocardiography could be safely used in diagnosis of coronary heart disease.