Download Stress echocardiography test

Dobutamine stress echocardiography
What is a Dobutamine Stress Echo?
This procedure is an ultrasound scan of the heart to test how it copes when it is
made to beat harder and faster than usual using a drug called Dobutamine.
Reasons for having the test
The aim of the test is to see how well the heart copes with extra stress. The results
will help inform your specialist doctor whether there is underlying disease of the
coronary arteries (blood vessels that supply the heart muscle), and to what extent it
is affecting the contraction of the heart.
What happens before the procedure?
Some medication, such as beta blockers, can make the test less accurate. A list of
medication that should be stopped 48 hours prior to the appointment is included. It
is important that you stop any medication included on this list. Please continue
taking medication not listed. If you are unsure, please contact us. You will need to
be collected from the department following the test by a friend or relative or use
public transport / taxi to get home. This is because we may use a drug that can
cause slight blurring of vision for 12-24 hours. Therefore driving would be prohibited.
You should also tell the doctor if you have any allergies.
List of Beta-Blocker tablets to be stopped prior to your Stress Echo Test
If you are taking any of the drugs listed in the following table, please stop them as
advised on your appointment letter or as directed by your consultant if you have
been pre-assessed before you stress echo appointment.
Proprietory drug name Generic drug name
Adizem
Diltiazem
Atenolol
Atenolol
Bedranol
Propranolol hydrochloride
Beta-Adalat
Atenolol
Beta Cardone
Sotalol hydrochloride
Betaloc
Metoprolol tartrate
Betaloc SA
Metoprolol tartrate
Co-Betaloc
Metoprolol tartrate
Co-Betaloc SA
Metoprolol tartrate
Corgaretic 40
Nadolol
Diltiazem/Slozem/Angitil/Tildeum Diltiazem/Tildeum
Eucardic
Carvedilol
Emcor
Bisoprolol
Half Inderal
Propranolol hydrochloride
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Dobutamine stress echocardography
722n4
19 February 2007
July 2015
July 2017
Inderal
Inderal LA
Inderetic
Kalten
Lopressor
Lopressor SR
Metoprolol
Monocor
Propranolol
Secradrex
Sectral
Securon
Sotacor
Sotalol
Tenif
Tenorel 50
Tenoretic
Tenormin
Trasicor
Trasidrex
Verapamil
Propranolol hydrochloride
Propranolol hydrochloride
Propranolol hydrochloride
Atenolol
Metoprolol tartrate
Metoprolol tartrate
Metoprolol
Bisoprolol
Propranolol hydrochloride
Acebutolol
Acebutolol
Verapamil
Sotalol hydrochloride
Sotalol hydrochloride
Atenolol
Atenolol
Atenolol
Atenolol
Oxeprenolol hydrochloride
Oxeprenolol hydrochloride
Verapamil
Risks and complications
Ultrasound is very safe and has no known risks.
The drug may occasionally cause heart rhythm problems or chest pains. All staff are
trained to deal with these problems. There is a small risk of slight bruising around
the injection site which will return to normal within two weeks. There is a very small
chance that you may be allergic to the contrast, in which case, you will be treated
immediately to reverse the effect.
Please speak to your specialist doctor before the test if you have any concerns
about the risks.
What the procedure involves
The test will be explained to you by the doctor or nurse. The Doctor or nurse will
assess you and decide with you the most suitable way of performing the test.
Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have about the test.
You will be given a hospital gown to wear and asked to lie on a couch. The doctor or
nurse will insert a small needle into a vein in your arm so that specific drugs can be
introduced to stimulate the heart. Your blood pressure and heart tracing (ECG) will
be monitored constantly.
The Physiologist will scan your heart using a hand held ultrasound probe which is
covered in jelly and moved across the chest. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not xrays and is very safe.
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Leaflet number
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Dobutamine stress echocardography
722n4
19 February 2007
July 2015
July 2017
At regular intervals the concentration of the drug will be slightly increased while
pictures continue to be recorded.
As the levels of drug increase you may be aware of your heart “thumping” as it
works harder and you may be aware of tightening in your chest.
Do not worry about these symptoms but tell the doctor who will be monitoring your
pictures, ECG and blood pressure very closely. The pictures of your heart are stored
on the Echo Machine so that the doctor can tell whether your heart muscle is
contracting properly under stress.
When your heart has been stimulated to the required level the drug will be stopped.
The affects of the drug wear off quickly and you will be monitored until your heart
rate, blood pressure and pictures return to normal.
The test will take approximately 45 minutes.
Additional procedures
Occasionally contrast will be needed during the test. This is a liquid dye used to
obtain clearer pictures and will be injected into the vein in your arm. The contrast is
harmless but Please inform the doctor of any allergies before you have the test.
After the procedure
As soon as the doctor or nurse is satisfied that all effects of the drug have worn off,
or your heart rate and blood pressure have returned to normal, you can dress and
return to the recovery area until you feel ready to go home. This will usually be
about 30 minutes. Check with your specialist doctor when you should restart your
regular medications.
Results
The results of the test will be sent to the doctor that requested the scan within a few
working days. The results will not be available on the day.
Cardio-Respiratory Department Location
Enter the Main Entrance and turn left into the Outpatient Department, then turn right
— the Cardio-Respiratory Department is at the far end of the corridor.
For further information please contact the Cardiac department on 01206 742612.
Other sources of information
British Heart Foundation website
www.bhf.org/uk/heart-heart/tests
British Society of Echocardiography website www.bsecho.org and click on patient
information
Nice guidelines website
www.nice.org.uk
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Dobutamine stress echocardography
722n4
19 February 2007
July 2015
July 2017
Your NHS number
When you attend hospital you will be asked for your NHS number and other
information such as your address. Please be patient with this procedure. It is to
ensure our records are kept up to date and to protect your safety. However, if you
do not know your NHS number, please do not worry – you will still receive care!
Concerns or complaints
If you have any concerns or worries about your care, please contact the department
responsible. However, if you are unable to resolve your concerns or wish to make a
formal complaint, please contact the Integrated PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison
Service), Complaints and Litigation Service on 01206 745926 or ask any member of
staff for a leaflet, which will describe how you may make a complaint.
Your views
If you or a family member has recently been in either Colchester General Hospital or
Essex County Hospital for any reason, you can tell us about your experience by
visiting the www.nhs.uk website and clicking on the "Comments" section, or you can
write to the address on the front of this leaflet or alternatively, email your comments
to [email protected]
Cardio-Respiratory Department Colchester General Hospital
Turner Road
Colchester
CO4 5JL
Tel: 01206 742612
Page 4 of 4
Leaflet name
Leaflet number
Created
Reviewed
Next review
Dobutamine stress echocardography
722n4
19 February 2007
July 2015
July 2017