[Non-invasive study of myocardial ischemia. Alternatives to the conventional stress test].

Stress techniques for inducing myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary atherosclerosis have been widely studied. The most frequently used are those requiring physical effort, increasing their diagnostic efficiency with radioisotopes and echocardiographic monitoring. Patients unable to make physical exercise and with suspected ischemic heart disease may undergo nonexercise stress test. Transesophageal atrial stimulation and pharmacological stress tests with dipyridamol, dobutamine and adenosine are good alternatives, provided a strict methodology is used.